Questions and Answers
What is neural pruning?
Happens when we lose synaptic connections in a neural network because we do not use them.
What is a synapse?
The small space between neurons where neurotransmitters are fired from one neuron to the other.
Can stress cause acceleration in neural pruning during adolescence?
True
Who wrote the case study 'Poverty and Brain Development'?
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What was the aim of the study?
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Why were MRIs used in the study?
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What were the results of the study?
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What other result did they find?
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What are three factors that can negatively affect the development of neural networks in the hippocampus?
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What did the overall study show? (conclusion)
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Study Notes
Neural Pruning
- Neural pruning involves the loss of synaptic connections in a neural network due to lack of use, also known as synaptic pruning.
Synapse
- A synapse is the minute gap between neurons where neurotransmitters are transmitted from one neuron to another.
Stress and Neural Pruning
- Stress is linked to an acceleration of neural pruning specifically during adolescence.
Case Study Reference
- The case study "Poverty and Brain Development" was conducted by Luby et al. in 2013.
Study Aim
- The aim was to investigate whether poverty correlates with brain development while examining mediating variables such as stress and parenting.
MRI Usage
- MRIs were utilized to assess correlations between poverty, stressful occurrences, parenting styles, and hippocampal volume in 145 children over a decade.
Study Results
- The study revealed a negative correlation between poverty and hippocampal volume.
Additional Findings
- Parenting styles and stressful life events served as mediating factors in the relationship between poverty and hippocampal volume.
Adverse Factors for Neural Network Development
- Three critical factors that can hinder the development of neural networks in the hippocampus include poverty, parenting styles, and stressful life events.
Conclusion of the Study
- The overall findings suggest that stressful events may speed up the neural pruning process.
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Description
Test your knowledge on neural pruning and related psychological concepts with these flashcards focused on IB Psychology. Each card covers essential terms and definitions that are crucial for understanding how synaptic connections are formed and lost. Perfect for students preparing for their assessments!