Assignment: Cognitive Neuroscience Essay

Assignment: Cognitive Neuroscience Essay

Assignment Cognitive Neuroscience Essay

 

Learning is one of the fascinating processes of the human brain as it is a complex aspect of acquiring new memories. The information gathered either through experience or studying history must also be stored and used as raw ingredients when needed. Memory and storage are therefore key functions of the brain, which influence the ability of humans to learn. However, the process by which the human brain filters and stores information to protect us from overload of these data is a complex area of study not readily understood. Further, techniques on how to improve storage and memory to enable people to scale up their performance is an area of concern that requires research. The present study focuses on how memory are formed and stored in the brain in an analysis of the neural circuitry process.

Similarities and Differences between Working Memory and Long-Term Memory

            Exploration of the distinctions in the working memory as well as long-term memory is vital in developing an understanding of the memory function of the brain is organized. Both working and long-term memory can be used for retrieval practice to facilitate recall processes (Jeneson & Squire, 2012). Besides, the two memories help in the utilization of the stored information to manipulate the outcome of an event. However, the two memories are distinguished based on the duration of information. Long-term memory entails the storage and retention of information for a long period. It manifests in events of life experiences, the ability to speak a specific language and the development of cognitive skills on how to accomplish a task. Working memory, on the other hand, has a shorter retention period at an average period of two seconds or less. Long-term memory is used as a platform for storing information that is used at all times while working memory helps human to complete immediate tasks.

How Memory is Formed and Maintained in the Brain

Processes involved in the development of memory in human include encoding, storage, and recall. It starts with a perception of stimuli for an individual.  The brain rumbles with activities of 100 billion neurons, which reflect human thought, perception, and action. These nerve cells work by sending signals so that each cell communicate with one another. Each of the neurons can link with over 10,000 connections to release neurotransmitters that bind to specific receptors to produce signals (Rose et al., 2010). Memory commences with the reactivation of nerve cells based on the changes that occur between the connections in the neurons. An association between different neurons and the brain at the synaptic joints causes an action potential which initiates the strengths of the brain cells. The synaptic connections result in a network of neuronal circuits and these influence the functioning of the brain. Weak connections between neurons cause a spike occurs synaptic strengths leading to the formation of long-term potential (LTP) as well as long-term depression (LTD). These changes in synaptic strengths through the addition and removal of neurons is potential in memory development (van Kesteren et al., 2012). However, the neuronal circuits in the human brain are constantly adjusted through daily experience in life. These changes that cause synaptic communications between neurons is referred to as synaptic plasticity. The latter is a critical component in the development of higher brain function as evidenced through learning and development of memory.

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When it is Adaptive to Remember and when it is Adaptive to Forget

One needs to remember occasions when an activity that had a remarkable impact on the development of life was developed.

These may include an innovative concept or an idea that solved a given challenge. Developing memories about past positive actions offer a platform for quality improvement and motivation on recommendations for improvements in future practice. However, when a past activity is associated with hurtful memories, then it would be appropriate to forget such incidences to allow one to pursue positive endeavors in life. For instance, incidences of rape, the demise of a member of family, violence, and dismissal at the workplace can engender fear which compromises the quality of health among human. One can forget the bad memories by engaging in positive activities that guarantee satisfaction in life. Athletics, dance and drama can inculcate a positive perception about life for victims of violence.

Are Our Memories Accurate?

Yes. Our memories are defined by the neuronal connections in the specific parts of the human brain. These form a circuit system that connects our sensory experience with the actual activities undertaken over the past days. Besides, our memories replay the experience to encode and maintain the thoughts in the last decades. Our memory involves recalling of activities of the neurons initiated by the synaptic plasticity at the synaptic connections. Information from the sensory receptors converge in the hippocampus and is encoded where they came from (van Kesteren et al., 2012). This allows a comparison between the previously recorded memories with current developed new facts to reconstruct elements learned. Our memory is therefore accurate as it is a repetition of new facts compared with the previous information stored in the brain.

 

How the Brain and Memory System Can Help People With Memory Problems

The memory system is used to gauge the ability of people to forget information. Forgetting concepts is considered a normal phenomenon in human but is specific to the content of a given subject. However, memory trace should remain intact to allow for the reorganization of the neural network to recapture the previous experience. In case the forgetfulness exceeds the normal range, memories will be imprinted to help those with amnesia or patients who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It will be imperative to delete memories for PTSD to relieve them against negative consequences of traumatic events.

Role of Age and Environment in Memory Development

Age and environment determine how memories are formed. The aging process contributes to increasing forgetfulness due to a degeneration of the brain and neurons. These systems lose their connections and ultimately start to die off (Devitt & Schacter, 2016). Often, the elderly are insecure and will require a guarantee before making decisions about changes in their lives. The changes and decisions to engage in activities will have an impact on the overall psychological testing among the elderly. The young on the other hand has a significant amount of brain cells particularly in the hippocampus region, and this enhances memory. Human experience a gradual decline in cognitive abilities from 30 years. The environment comprises factors that influence health condition, mood and these have a direct impact on memory development (van Kesteren et al., 2012). Environmental factors such as poverty and perception of neglect can lead to depression among individuals across all ages. These can result in hopelessness, anxiety as well as a feeling of suspicion. These traits can lead to confusion and mental health illness which impairs memory.

Assignment: Cognitive Neuroscience Essay Conclusion

Memory formation is physiological and neurological process based on an individual. Processing of human memory entails encoding, storage, and recall of information. Working and long-term memories reflect the amount of information a person holds in their mind. Analysis of the retention intervals and forgetfulness is key in developing a diagnosis of mental loss. These parameters are also used to provide interventions for people with mental health issues.

The goal of this paper is to understand how the brain and memory processes are intertwined and how certain techniques can improve these processes. In an essay of 1,000-1,250 words, discuss how memories are formed and maintained in the brain through the actions of neural circuitry. Use at least four scholarly resources to address the following questions:
Theoretically, how is working memory similar to and different from long-term memory?
How are memories formed in the brain (using neural circuitry), and how are they maintained?
When is it adaptive to remember, and in what ways may it be adaptive to forget?
Given what we know about brain mechanisms in memory, are our memories accurate? Explain your answer using information on how memories are stored in the brain.
How can knowledge of the brain and memory systems be used to help individuals suffering from memory problems (e.g., poor memory, amnesia, PTSD)?
Compare the role age and environment play in how memories are formed and maintained.

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Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for tips on improving your paper and SI score.

Late Policy

The university’s policy on late assignments is 10% penalty PER DAY LATE. This also applies to late DQ replies.

Please communicate with me if you anticipate having to submit an assignment late. I am happy to be flexible, with advance notice. We may be able to work out an extension based on extenuating circumstances.

If you do not communicate with me before submitting an assignment late, the GCU late policy will be in effect.

I do not accept assignments that are two or more weeks late unless we have worked out an extension.

As per policy, no assignments are accepted after the last day of class. Any assignment submitted after midnight on the last day of class will not be accepted for grading.

Communication

Communication is so very important. There are multiple ways to communicate with me:

Questions to Instructor Forum: This is a great place to ask course content or assignment questions. If you have a question, there is a good chance one of your peers does as well. This is a public forum for the class.

Individual Forum: This is a private forum to ask me questions or send me messages. This will be checked at least once every 24 hours.

Important information for writing discussion questions and participation

Welcome to class

Hello class and welcome to the class and I will be your instructor for this course. This is a -week course and requires a lot of time commitment, organization, and a high level of dedication. Please use the class syllabus to guide you through all the assignments required for the course. I have also attached the classroom policies to this announcement to know your expectations for this course. Please review this document carefully and ask me any questions if you do. You could email me at any time or send me a message via the “message” icon in halo if you need to contact me. I check my email regularly, so you should get a response within 24 hours. If you have not heard from me within 24 hours and need to contact me urgently, please send a follow up text to

I strongly encourage that you do not wait until the very last minute to complete your assignments. Your assignments in weeks 4 and 5 require early planning as you would need to present a teaching plan and interview a community health provider. I advise you look at the requirements for these assignments at the beginning of the course and plan accordingly. I have posted the YouTube link that explains all the class assignments in detail. It is required that you watch this 32-minute video as the assignments from week 3 through 5 require that you follow the instructions to the letter to succeed. Failure to complete these assignments according to instructions might lead to a zero. After watching the video, please schedule a one-on-one with me to discuss your topic for your project by the second week of class. Use this link to schedule a 15-minute session. Please, call me at the time of your appointment on my number. Please note that I will NOT call you.

Please, be advised I do NOT accept any assignments by email. If you are having technical issues with uploading an assignment, contact the technical department and inform me of the issue. If you have any issues that would prevent you from getting your assignments to me by the deadline, please inform me to request a possible extension. Note that working fulltime or overtime is no excuse for late assignments. There is a 5%-point deduction for every day your assignment is late. This only applies to approved extensions. Late assignments will not be accepted.

If you think you would be needing accommodations due to any reasons, please contact the appropriate department to request accommodations.

Plagiarism is highly prohibited. Please ensure you are citing your sources correctly using APA 7th edition. All assignments including discussion posts should be formatted in APA with the appropriate spacing, font, margin, and indents. Any papers not well formatted would be returned back to you, hence, I advise you review APA formatting style. I have attached a sample paper in APA format and will also post sample discussion responses in subsequent announcements.

Your initial discussion post should be a minimum of 200 words and response posts should be a minimum of 150 words. Be advised that I grade based on quality and not necessarily the number of words you post. A minimum of TWO references should be used for your initial post. For your response post, you do not need references as personal experiences would count as response posts. If you however cite anything from the literature for your response post, it is required that you cite your reference. You should include a minimum of THREE references for papers in this course. Please note that references should be no more than 5 years old except recommended as a resource for the class. Furthermore, for each discussion board question, you need ONE initial substantive response and TWO substantive responses to either your classmates or your instructor for a total of THREE responses. There are TWO discussion questions each week, hence, you need a total minimum of SIX discussion posts for each week. I usually post a discussion question each week. You could also respond to these as it would count towards your required SIX discussion posts for the week.

I understand this is a lot of information to cover in 5 weeks, however, the Bible says in Philippians 4:13 that we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us. Even in times like this, we are encouraged by God’s word that we have that ability in us to succeed with His strength. I pray that each and every one of you receives strength for this course and life generally as we navigate through this pandemic that is shaking our world today. Relax and enjoy the course!

Hi Class,

Please read through the following information on writing a Discussion question response and participation posts.

Contact me if you have any questions.

Important information on Writing a Discussion Question

• Your response needs to be a minimum of 150 words (not including your list of references)
• There needs to be at least TWO references with ONE being a peer reviewed professional journal article.
• Include in-text citations in your response
• Do not include quotes—instead summarize and paraphrase the information
• Follow APA-7th edition
• Points will be deducted if the above is not followed

Participation –replies to your classmates or instructor

• A minimum of 6 responses per week, on at least 3 days of the week.
• Each response needs at least ONE reference with citations—best if it is a peer reviewed journal article
• Each response needs to be at least 75 words in length (does not include your list of references)
• Responses need to be substantive by bringing information to the discussion or further enhance the discussion. Responses of “I agree” or “great post” does not count for the word count.
• Follow APA 7th edition
• Points will be deducted if the above is not followed
• Remember to use and follow APA-7th edition for all weekly assignments, discussion questions, and participation points.
• Here are some helpful links
• Student paper example
• Citing Sources
• The Writing Center is a great resource