Psychology: Memory Across the Lifespan

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Questions and Answers

At what stage does fetal learning about the mother's voice begin?

At 6 months gestation

Before birth (correct)

After birth

During labor

What behavior can infants as young as 2 months old associate with their actions?

Reaching with objects moving

Kicking with an overhead mobile (correct)

Turning their head with voices

Crawling with movement of toys

Which developmental stage is noted for the most rapid form of learning?

Early childhood

Perinatal (correct)

Infancy

Adolescence

How much does the average newborn's brain weigh?

333 grams Signup and view all the answers

At what average age do children start watching television according to the content?

4 years Signup and view all the answers

How does each hour of television watched impact attentional problems in children?

Increases attentional problems by 10% Signup and view all the answers

What percentage indicates an increase in attentional problems from watching educational content?

0% Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the Baby Einstein videos have on children according to the information provided?

60% increase in language development Signup and view all the answers

Which activity is correlated with increased language performance in children?

Engaging in block activities Signup and view all the answers

What developmental period does 'peri adolescent' refer to?

Late childhood to early adolescence Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process where neurons grow and form new connections?

Neurogenesis Signup and view all the answers

What condition is characterized by the failure of the cerebellum to fully form?

Motor impairments Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following terms describes the elimination of excess neurons and synapses?

Pruning Signup and view all the answers

What can stimulate neurogenesis according to the information provided?

Stress reduction Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT associated with the effects of an enriched environment on a fetus?

Failure of neural tube formation Signup and view all the answers

What does excitotoxicity refer to in the context of neurobiology?

Cell damage due to excessive stimulation Signup and view all the answers

What methodology is mentioned that utilizes light to stimulate neuroprotective responses?

Photobiomodulation Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of the timing and intervals of neurological recovery activities?

Small intervals are better for recovery Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential outcome of a lack of environmental enrichment during development?

Lower cognitive performance Signup and view all the answers

What describes the relationship between brain development and experience?

There is a reciprocal relationship between experience and brain development. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of neuroplasticity?

It allows the brain to change and adapt over time. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the senses is accurate?

They can sometimes be impaired or inaccurate. Signup and view all the answers

What advantage does a specific imaging technique offer over a CAT scan?

Higher resolution without ionized radiation. Signup and view all the answers

How many neurons does an adult brain contain approximately?

86 billion Signup and view all the answers

What is a drawback of certain neuroimaging techniques?

They can be quite expensive and difficult for patients. Signup and view all the answers

What impact do multiple sensory systems activated simultaneously have on development?

They are great for developmental progress. Signup and view all the answers

How does the brain's structure change after birth?

It triples in size. Signup and view all the answers

What role do perceptions play in decision making?

They contribute to how information is gathered from the environment. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the quality of temporal resolution in certain imaging techniques?

It is considered poor. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Memory Across the Lifespan

Key questions for study include:
- Key factors in cognitive development
- Applications of theory to early education
- Key issues with children as witnesses

Early Brain Development

Brain development is a continuous process
Development includes stages and differentiation

Brain Development Across the Lifespan

Experience-dependent synapse formation is important
Neurogenesis in the hippocampus is crucial
Time courses for synaptogenesis show different stages of brain development (conception, months, years, decades)
Average newborn brain weighs 333 grams, and triples in size by age 2, reaching approximately 999 grams.

Early Cognitive Development

Caregivers play a significant role in early cognitive development
Factors include sensorimotor development, nutritional support, cognitive stimulation, and maturational milestones.
Institutionalization can affect development, particularly IQ, academic performance, attentional control, and behavioral activity

Learning and Memory in Infants

Chemical sensory systems impact food preferences
Auditory systems relate to voice preferences and early learning
Sensorimotor systems involve early associative learning, imitation, and preferential looking; two-weeks old infants associate kicking with overhead mobiles.
Self-concept and mirror self-recognition are important aspects of development.

Working Memory During Development

Working memory develops through different stages
Key elements of working memory include:
- Verbal storage (digit recall, word recall, etc)
- Visuo-spatial memory (block recall, visual patterns, etc.)
- Complex memory span (listening recall, non-word recall, counting recall, etc)

Disorders Affecting Development

Working memory and education are linked
Important disorders include Down Syndrome and Williams Syndrome, which have varying effects on cognitive functioning.
ADHD is also significant, impacting attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity

Media and Attentional Problems in Children

Media exposure affects children's attention and learning
Early and frequent exposure to television and screens correlates negatively with cognitive functioning, except for educational content.

Children as Witnesses

Children's ability to be reliable witnesses varies by age
Biasing language can impact a child's testimony

Memory and Aging

Key methods of testing memory throughout life are crucial
Differences between generations in memory abilities are significant
Key brain changes during aging affect how we process information.

Methods of Testing

Longitudinal Approach: Studying the same participants over time
- Advantages: improved predictions, and targeted interventions
- Disadvantages: expensive, dropouts, and practice effects
Cross-Sectional Approach: Testing different participants at different ages
- Advantages: avoids practice effects, and direct comparisons between ages
- Disadvantages: cohort effects, and other biases
Combined Approach: Combines longitudinal and cross-sectional approaches

Intelligence Across Generations

Flynn Effect: shows increase in intelligence test scores over generations, likely linked to environmental factors
Reverse Flynn Effect: shows a plateau or decrease in intelligence test scores in recent decades, which may stem from various factors.
- Environmental factors, declining standards, health, and excessive screen time are plausible explanations.
Intelligence test scores show a general increase up until the mid-1970s, and a slowing or reversal/decrease in recent decades.

Brain Reserve and Neurodegeneration

Gray and white matter changes are linked to cognitive decline, and excessive screen time negatively impacts this.
Important risk factors for dementia include education level, hearing loss, TBI, Hypertension, alcohol consumption, and obesity, amongst others. Other risk factors include physical inactivity, depression, and social isolation.

Different Types of Dementias

Different types of dementia affect various aspects of cognitive function and memory.
- Alzheimer's disease (amyloid plaques)
- Vascular dementia (reduced oxygen)
- Lewy-body dementia (alpha-synuclein deposits)
- Frontotemporal dementia (gray/white matter)
- Semantic dementia (temporal lobe)

Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease

Memory loss impacting job performance is a key warning sign.
Challenges with language, abstract reasoning, and disorientation are additional potential signs of this disease.

Novel Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease

Wearable cameras are used to stimulate memory in Alzheimer's patients.
Passive and Active forms of memory aids are explored for potential cognitive benefits. Specific memory training strategies were examined, showing different results. A system of wearable cameras was shown to be more effective.

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Description

Explore key factors in cognitive development and the critical role of caregivers in early memory and learning. This quiz delves into brain development stages and the implications for early education and child testimony. Understand how experiences shape cognitive abilities throughout different life stages.