plasticity

• plasticity:

  -the brain changes and adapts because of experiences

  -the brain can structurally change to new conditions

  -plasticity is highest at infancy - by 3y/o there are up to 15000 synapses per neuron
• synaptic pruning:

  synapses die when they are not used - synapses are lost
• synaptic bridging:

  connections that are frequently used are strengthened
• Draganski et al (2006):

  -brain images of medical students 3 months before an exam and right after the exam, compared with people not studying for an exam. Students brain structure changed, the others did not.

  -shows that plasticity happens when revising/revisiting concepts.
• Maguire et al (2000):

  -looked at the hippocampus of london taxi drivers (who have to remember every street name in london) and found that they had a higher volume of grey matter in their hippocampus compared to others.

  -shows that plasticity happens and changes the brain structure.
• Strengths:

  -case study support: Phineas Gage. Had a rod go through his brain, behaviour changed but he regained his social skills. Increases the external validity of plasticity.

  -practical application: stroke patients can have rehabilitation to increase cognitive functioning (evidence of plasticity). D: economic implications. Stroke patients can go to work after this, gives money to the economy. Plasticity has use.

  Weakness:

  -negative consequences: drugs can make the brain adapt negatively, reduces functions. Majority of amputees have phantom limb syndrome. Plasticity is not always positive.