Types of learning:

1. Classical conditioning (dog experiment, associate neutral stimulus with unconditioned stimulus)

   1. a type of learning that occurs when a neutral stimulus (i.e., a stimulus that does not naturally elicit a response) is repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus (i.e., a stimulus that naturally elicits a response) to eventually produce a conditioned response (i.e., a response that is now elicited by the previously neutral stimulus).

   

2. Operant conditioning (reward and consequence)

   1. a type of learning that occurs when the consequences of a behavior influence the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future.

   

3. Observational learning (watching others and imitating)

   1. a type of learning that occurs when an individual acquires new behaviors or skills by observing and imitating the behavior of others

   

Gross stages of memory:

1. Encoding - the acquisition and initial learning of new information (learning new info)
2. Consolidation - process of transferring new learning into LTM (putting that new info into storage)
3. Retrieval - 'remembering' getting information out of storage (being able to recall that info at a later stage)

Temporal classifications of memory:

1. Immediate memory (seconds):

   1. Ability for the brain to hold on to ongoing experiences from our senses for a second or so e.g., Glancing quickly at a scene and then being able to recall details about it a split second later, even though you no longer see it.

2. Short term memory (seconds to minutes):

   1. The ability to hold and manipulate information in the mind for seconds to minutes while it is being used to a achieve a particular goal (such processes are also referred to as working memory). -e.g, recalling items on a shopping list or an address just presented to you

3. Long term memory (can be forever i.e. more permanent storage):

   1. declarative (explicit) - memories that can be consciously recalled and verbalized. It involves memory for facts and events. (episodic and semantic memory)

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   Subtypes:

   Episodic Memory: Memories of specific events or experiences in one's life, often tied to a particular time and place. For example, recalling your graduation day or your last birthday celebration.

   Semantic Memory: General world knowledge that we've accumulated throughout our lives. For instance, knowing that Paris is the capital of France or understanding the concept of photosynthesis.

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   b. non-declarative memory (implicit-riding a bike) - involves skills and associations that are not available to conscious introspection but are evident through performance or behavior. (procedural memory, classical conditioning, priming)

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   Subtypes:

   Procedural Memory: This is the memory for skills and habits, such as knowing how to ride a bike or play a musical instrument.

   Classical Conditioning: Learning about associations between different stimuli. For instance, the famous Pavlov's dog experiment, where dogs learned to associate the sound of a bell with food, led them to salivate upon hearing the bell alone.

   Priming: A subtle form of memory where exposure to one stimulus influences the response to a subsequent, related stimulus. For instance, if you're shown the word "yellow" and then asked to list fruits, you're more likely to say "banana" because of the initial priming with the color-related word.

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   The primary neural substrates in declarative memory are medial temporal lobe structures, particularly the hippocampus.

   The primary neural substrates in non-declarative memory depend on which subtype of non-declarative memory it is. Different regions of the brain (basal ganglia, cerebellum or motor cortex) are implicated depending on this.

Learning happens at the synapse, things change at the synpase, neurotransmitters and neuroproteins are released.

Hebb rule : If a synapse repeatedly becomes active at about the same time as the post synaptic neuron fires, changes will take place in the structure or chemistry of the synapse that will strengthen it.

Neurons that fire together, wire together.