Psychology 461/561 Exam 1 :: Study Guide Foundations of Learning & Memory

Module I. The Nature of Learning & Memory • Genotype/Phenotype • Ratman (Bugelski & Alampay, 1961) • Duck-Rabbit (Jastrow, 1899) • Plato’s aviary metaphor • Aristotle [memory vs. reminiscence] o Episodic-like memory in non-humans (Crystal, 2010)? • Maine de Biran o Habits vs. [Representative, Mechanical, & Sensitive] Memory • William James o Reflex arcs & Habit o Memory, links, strengthening, & primary vs. secondary memory • Hermann Ebinghaus o Empirical rigor, data analysis, savings in relearning • Ivan Pavlov: Psychic secretion, Classical Conditioning • E.L. Thorndike: Instrumental Learning, Law of Effect • John Watson: S-R, Behaviorism, maze running w/o senses • Edward Tolman: “cognitive maps in rats and men” • Place vs. Response Learning o Behaviorist vs. Cognitive predictions o Variables (time and brain anatomy) affecting type of learning/behavior • Experimental vs. Correlational research • Neuroscience approach • Animal research • Case studies (e.g., H.M., Clive Wearing, and Jimmie G.)

Module II. Neural Bases of Learning & Memory • Cells, neurons, circuits, systems, & assemblies • Reticular theory of brain circuitry • Santiago Ramón y Cajal o Black reaction, neuron doctrine, cross-species comparisons o Types of neurons: primary, motor, sensory, interneuron • Synaptic vs. Action Potentials • Synapse, Synaptic Cleft, and Neurotransmitters • Molecular Basis Neural Communication o Resting potential, ion exchange, pumps, vesicles, recycling o Inhibitory vs. Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials • Otto Lowei’s frogs • Illicit drugs and synapses • Charles Sherrington: reflex arcs, reciprocal innervation • Karl Lashley: S-R, mass action, equipotentiality • Donald O. Hebb: cell assemblies, LTP • Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) o Defining characteristics and molecular basis of (e.g., the role of Ca++) o Hippocampus, NMDA agonists and antagonists • Gall: localization of function, organology, phrenology • S.I. Franz: new phrenology • Organization of the CNS [major divisions and functions] o Hindbrain: cerebellum, pons, medulla, etc. o Midbrain: tectum tegmentum, substantia nigra, etc. o Forebrain: thalamus, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, cerebral cortex o Contralateral specialization o Distinctions among functions o Different organizational systems (e.g., topographic) • Functional Systems of the Brain o Sensory, Motor, Emotional, and Cognitive