Plasticity

• (AO1) Define plasticity

  The brain's ability to compensate for lost function. / ability to adapt or change.

  
  

  The brain is not fixed in terms of function, can change when needed.

  
  

  This may be due to damage directly or the effects of indirect damage.
• (AO1) Link plasticity to age

  When the brain is maturing, recovery from trauma is more likely
• (AO1) Define neural reorganisation

  Change of functions between neurons
• (AO1) Define neural regeneration

  Growth of new neurons and/or connections (e.g. axon)
• (AO1) Define neural unmasking

  Dormant synapse opens connections, becoming active when previously wasn't
• (AO3) S - CS - Jodie

  Point: Case studies of brain trauma highlights the plasticity of the brain & its ability to recover after significant damage.

  
  

  Evidence: E.g. Jodie, a young child who lost her entire right hemisphere, experienced inital movement issues and a limp on her left side, but made a remarkable recovery, eventually leading to a normal life.

  Evaluate: The recovery can be attributed to factors like her youth, resilience, and possibly her female sex, which are associated with greater plasticity.

  
  

  However: important to note that case studies may not represent typical recovery for all ppl, and there are limitations in generalising from case studies.
• (AO3) Meditation & the brain

  Point: Regular meditation can lead to changes in the brain, demonstrating that behaviour can influence neural functioning.

  
  

  Evidence: Research on monks found that regular meditation increased the activation of gamma waves, showing how behaviour can cause the brain to adapt to meet specific needs.

  
  

  Evaluate: Has significant RWA, suggests behaviours like meditation can help ppl improve ability to enter & maintain calm state.

  
  

  However: Important to note that such research often involves certain groups, and results may not generalise to whole population. + May be individual differences in how much the brain can change based on behaviour.
• (AO3) S - Maguire et al - London Taxi Drivers

  Point: Maguire et al's study provides evidence for brain's plasticity, as it shows that the posterior hippocampus of the taxi drivers were larger than those of the control group.

  
  

  Evidence: Suggests brain adapted to meet demands of memorising complex maps of London, demonstrating how experience can shape neural structure.

  
  

  Evaluate: However - a limitation of this research = does not definitively prove plasticity, as individuals with naturally superior memory are more likely to become taxi drivers, rather than the experience itself causing the change.

  
  

  Thus, the findings may not conclusively show plasticity, but rather pre-existing individual differences.