So this is a big assignment I will include attachments and will answer questions and assist with whoever is up for the taskThe primary goal of the Learning and Cognition Handbook is to integrate conce

Running Head: LEARNING AND COGNITION 0

Neuroscience: A look at our Brains

Heather Yant

PSY 620 Learning and Cognition

Instructor: Andrea Felch

11/19/17

The Neuroscience: A look at our Brains

There are many disciplines have studied cognition including anthropology, psychology, neurology, informational science and even philosophy. It was, however, the cognitive psychology that first took a look at how information processing impacts behaviors and the relationship that different mental processes have on the acquisition of knowledge. I chose this construct because I want to be a cognitive psychologist in the future. I am usually very interested in understanding the working of the human brain- how people think, learn and remember. The following discussion, therefore, focusses on understanding how cognitive skills are acquired and processed by the brain.

Learning and the Brain

First off, it is essential to understand that the brain is made up of neurons, which are specialized cells that have several parts including the brain fibers known as dendrites. Sousa (2016) highlights that the more one learns, the more these threads grow. The fibers then act as a connection to all brain cells at central point’s known as synapses. In essence, the more substantial the brain cells become, the higher the interconnection between these cells and the higher the capacity of the brain to store large amounts of information. One should, nevertheless, understand that the brain fibers can only grow from other existing brain fibers. In other words, for an individual to grasp a new knowledge, they must build upon information already stored in the brain. For this reason, it is crucial for learners to have a complete understanding of the foundational components of a given subject (Martin, 2014).

The brain requires a lot of practice for it to fully understand a given concept. To create faster and stronger brain connections, therefore, it is crucial for individuals to practice the information they need to master. This mastered report such kind of practice, be it listening to an educational podcast, reading a textbook or doing practice exercises, makes the dendrites to grow bigger connect with a layer of fat. With more practice, the thickened brain fibers create double connections with each other. When this happens, the various signals carrying information to the brain travel at a faster rate to and from different parts of this organ. Ideally, practicing a given skill or concept on a regular basis can help solidify that piece of information or expertise permanently in the brain (Melby-Lervåg, & Hulme, 2013).

What most people do not know, however, is that there is a limit to the working memory. The working memory is the part of the brain where information is mentally manipulated and stored for shorter durations of time. The mind that individuals rely on to carry out mental math such as when one is trying to memorize a specific number. Despite the fact that the working memory is different from one person to the next, scientists profoundly believe that the limit ranges from five to seven items. However, researchers still think that it can be improved when individuals take proper care of not only their brain but also their body. Another important factor to note is that sleep has an impact on learning and memory. A routine lack of sleep can affect one’s ability to learn. Apart from making it very difficult for one to focus, the deprivation of sleep can drastically reduce the strength of the brain to acquire and process new information (Melby-Lervåg, & Hulme, 2013).

Cognition and the Brain

It is common knowledge that a brain is a potent tool. It allows individuals to see, hear, remember, create language, understands and learn. Cognition comes from the Latin word Cognoscere, meaning “to know.” The word refers to everything that is related to knowledge. In other words, it encompasses the accumulation of information that has been acquired either through learning or various experiences (Martin, 2014).

The most renowned definition of cognition is the ability of the human brain to acquire information through perception. Persons can process and store information that has been obtained from different sources such as beliefs, experience, and knowledge. It includes cognitive processes such as decision-making, attention, and reasoning, among many others. These methods can take place naturally or artificially, unconsciously or consciously. The progression is usually very fast as it happens without individuals realizing it (Parasuraman, & McKinley, 2014). For example, when a person is walking down the street, and suddenly the streetlight turns red, a cognitive process is started that tells the person to decide whether or not to cross. The first step is usually focusing on the stoplight, despite the fact that it is red. Consequently, a message sent from the memory that reminds the person that when the light is red, they are not supposed to cross. At that moment, one also remembers that they can pass provided that no cars are coming. That is when one decides to either wait for the light to turn green or to look left and right to see whether there are any approaching cars.

The big question is whether or not one can improve cognition. The answer is yes. It is essential first to understand that as time moves on, both the structure and the functionality of the brain changes, this is referred to as brain or otherwise neuroplasticity. Parasuraman and McKinley (2014) explain that owing to this brain plasticity, individuals can not only improve their cognitive skills but also to restore the brain if it is affected by traumas and amnesia. Brain plasticity allows the brain to increase neural circuits and form new brain connections which in the long-run improves functionality (Carlson, 2013).

From the above discussion, it is evident that this organ is mighty. In fact, some intelligent computers referred to as neural networks are designed after how the brain works. As a result, establishing how the brain works continue to be the primary subject of most research. Therefore, individuals should strive at practicing to improve brain function and also adopting healthy living.

The Neuroscience: A look at our Brains

Annotated Bibliography

Carlson, N. R., Miller, H. L., Heth, D. S., Donahoe, J. W., & Martin, G. N. (2013). Psychology: Pearson New International Edition: The Science of Behavior. Pearson Higher Ed.

In their research, the above scholars focus on the different ways in which the brain structure to adopt specific behaviors in people, both the good and the bad. Carlson et al. suggest that an individual’s environment plays a significant role in determining the kind of behaviors that they will develop. Furthermore, the researchers explain that it is possible for individuals to get rid of the bad traits and replace them with better ones.

Martin, D. M., Liu, R., Alonzo, A., Green, M., & Loo, C. K. (2014). Use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to enhance cognitive training: effect of timing of stimulation. Experimental brain research, 232(10), 3345-3351.

The researchers point out that the ability of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to increase cognition and learning brings about the promise for more enhanced therapeutic interventions. Martin et al. talk about a psychological response that works at improving selected cognitive skills. This method, according to them, is crucial in not only enhancing cognitive skills but also learning new beneficial skills.

Melby-Lervåg, M., &Hulme, C. (2013). Is working memory training effective? A meta-analytic review. Developmental psychology, 49(2), 270.

As highlighted in the discussion above, the working memory has a limited capacity to acquire, process and store information. Melby-Lervåg and Hulme (2013) point out that working memory training programs are beneficial for not only treating cases of hyperactivity disorder but also increasing individuals’ IQ and mental health. Their study also linked the working memory capacity to cognitive skills such as intelligence and attention.

Parasuraman, R., & McKinley, R. A. (2014). Using noninvasive brain stimulation to accelerate learning and enhance human performance. Human factors, 56(5), 816-824.

The two scholars discuss the effectiveness of noninvasive brain stimulation to speed up the learning process and consequently enhance human performance on the difficult tasks. In particular, their research focusses on tDCS. The scholars conduct a review of the available behavioral and psychological studies to find out the conditions under which noninvasive neural entertainment and brain stimulation might boost performance.

Sousa, D. A. (2016). How the brain learns. Corwin Press.

Sousa (2016) conducts a scientific study of the functionality of the brain. In the research, Sousa examines the structure of the brain and how each of the various parts of the organ controls individual’s daily functions such as visual processing, learning, emotions, sensation and auditory processing. The scholar also suggests multiple ways to improve brain function and make maximum utilization of this vital and mighty organ.

References

Carlson, N. R., Miller, H. L., Heth, D. S., Donahoe, J. W., & Martin, G. N. (2013). Psychology: Pearson New International Edition: The Science of Behavior. Pearson Higher Ed.

Melby-Lervåg, M., &Hulme, C. (2013). Is working memory training effective? A meta-analytic review. Developmental psychology, 49(2), 270.

Parasuraman, R., & McKinley, R. A. (2014). Using noninvasive brain stimulation to accelerate learning and enhance human performance. Human factors, 56(5), 816-824.

Sousa, D. A. (2016). How the brain learns. Corwin Press.