...The Nature Versus Nurture of Cognitive Development The brain is the central control for the human body; it receives, organizes, and responds to all stimuli that are detected outside and within the body. However, what makes the human brain superior to all other organisms is its ability to carry out cognitive processes of which less complex organisms are not capable. As Myer states, “cognition refers to all the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating” (176). In order for the brain to achieve the ability of cognition, its development must begin in the prenatal stage of life. The anatomy of the brain, environmental influences, and genetics are crucial factors that influence cognitive development. The brain has been classified not only as the control for physical processes but also the control center of the mind. As neuroscientists continue to make discoveries about how the brain develops and how it works, they have begun to understand the effect the brain has on cognitive development (Meadows 316). The brain is made up of neurons. These neurons are the part of the brain that is responsible for cognition. As Meadows states, “neurons are large as body cells go, with a cell body that has many filaments of tissue protruding from it, called the dendrites. One protrusion is longer that the others, and this is called the axon (328). The brain is composed of a network of neurons made of thousands of fibers that join up with each other to...
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...Brain Function Table Component | Definition | Role in Learning and Development | Neurons | A neuron is known as an excitable cell that can process and transmit information through electrical and chemical signals. Neurons are the core components of the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord and nervous system. | Neurons begin developing in the early stages, like when a child is in the womb. Language and early stimulation is also tied in how children will interact. Interactions on a daily basis can stimulate a child’s brain. | Neurotransmitters | These are chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another neuron. Most neurotransmitters are about the size of larger proteins or peptides. | A neurotransmitter plays a part in learning and in memory. So for classwork, it is important for a student to have this In their brain to function properly. | Axon | This is a nerve fibre, it is a long slender projection of a nerve cell. This conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron’s cell body. The function of the axon is to transmit information to different neurons. | A axon is a nerve receiver, in this case it can transmit information. So it can transmit information to other parts of the brain for the child to learn properly. | Myelin sheath | This is a material that forms a layer usually around the axon of a neuron. It is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system. It is an outgrowth of a type of glial...
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...Barnett EDU-213 Brain Function Table Component | Definition | Role in Learning and Development | Neurons | “A neuron is a nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system. Neurons are similar to other cells in the human body in a number of ways, but there is one key difference between neurons and other cells. Neurons are specialized to transmit information throughout the body” (Cherry, 2014) | Neurons receive and process new information. “Using selective stimulation, the researchers were able to show that these neo-neurons increase the ability to learn and memorize difficult cognitive tasks” (Role of neo-neurons in learning, memory revealed | KurzweilAI, 2012). | Neurotransmitters | “A substance (as norepinephrine or acetylcholine) that transmits nerve impulses across a synapse” (Neurotransmitter, n.d.). | Neurotransmitters are critical in learning and memory. Neurotransmitters are important for “memory, learning, and behavior among other things” (Lahey & Rosen, n.d.). | Axon | “A usually long and single nerve-cell process that usually conducts impulses away from the cell body” (Axon, n.d.). | “Axons help neurons travel during development” (Sukel, 2015). Basically axons help neurons get to the place in the brain where development can take place. | Myelin sheath | 1. “A layer of myelin surrounding the axons of some neurons —called also medullary sheath” (Myelin sheath, n.d.). | The sheath helps with communication to the brain. “It also helps...
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...Psychology Dr. Sharon Graham Brain Function Table Component | Definition | Role in Learning and Development | Neurons | “Cell in the brain or another part of the nervous system that transmits information to other cells.”(COE-GCU Framework 2010, pg. G-8) | The text book states that learning probably brings change to neurons and also could create new ones. | Neurotransmitters | “Chemical substance through which one neuron sends a message to another.”(COE-GCU Framework 2010, pg. G-8) | The neurons send their information to other cells though the neurotransmitters. | Axon | “A long, arm like structure that transmits information on to still other neuron.”(COE-GCU Framework 2010, pg. 23) | The more the axons are used the stronger they become and the faster they fire. | Myelin sheath | “Fatty coating on much of the axon.”(COE-GCU Framework 2010, pg. 23) | The information jumps from axon the axon quicker if it has myelin sheath on it. | Dendrites | Branchlike structures, on a neuron that receive messages from other neurons. (COE-GCU Framework 2010, pg. 22) | The texts states, “When a neuron’s dendrites are stimulated by other neurons (either those in the brain or those extending from other parts of the body), the dendrites become electrically charged. If the total charge reaches a certain level, the neuron fires, sending an electrical impulse along its axon to the terminal buttons.” (pg. 23) | Synapses | “Junction between two neurons that allows transmission of...
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...Slide 1 Hi everyone! My presentation will be about brain development and plasticity. Slide 2 “The human brain is estimated to have about a hundred billion nerve cells, two million miles of axons, and a million billion synapses, making it the most complex structure, natural or artificial, on earth.” Tim Green, Stephen F. Heinemann and Jim F. Gusella (from a paper in Neuron, 1998) Slide 3 Brain development. Slide 4 What we know about human brain? The human brain is the most complex of all biological systems. It is made of a hundred billion information processing cells called neurons. The neurons communicated with each other by making connections. This connections called synapses. It is estimated there are 60 trillion connections in the adult brain. It has about 200 000 neurons. Slide 5 Brain has right and a left hemispheres. They connected by a fiber bundle that leads to the two sides of the brain that connect to each other. Average human brain weighs about 2-3 pounds. If we will look inside of adult brain we will see two kinds of tissue: grey matter and white matter. It contains of the cell bodies of the neurons. We can see grey matter along the entire surface of brain. Thats the neocortex. Cortex the brain's outer layer, which is essentially our gray matter. The white matter consist other fiber that connect neurons into information processing networks. Each neuron extends a connecting fiber called axon. Axons covered with a fatty substance called mylan that...
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...Journey of the brain-Birth to late adulthood Child development is crucial throughout the early years, during this time the development of the brain occurs and continues through late adulthood. The development of the brain contributes to the functioning of the body. The anatomy of the brain is made up of neurons and divided into four different lobes. The temporal, frontal, parietal, and occipital lobes control a variety of cognitive functions (Santrock, 2013). The brain controls simple functions such as fine and gross motor skills, vision, and memory. For instance the frontal lobes are involved in the voluntary movement, thinking, personality, and intentionality or purpose. The occipital lobes are responsible for vision. The temporal lobes are responsible for hearing, language processing and memory. The parietal lobes plays role in registering spatial location, attention and motor control. (Santrock, 2013). Brain development in children is vital during the early years. During the early years, children brains are active enabling children to learn a variety of information. However, as individual ages there are changes in the brain which influence cognitive functioning learned throughout the years of development. At birth the newborn’s brain is about 25 percent of its adult weight; by the 24 months the brain is about 75 percent of its adult weight (Santrock, 2013). The brain is very delicate and needs a lot of protection for its safety...
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...psychological life ... have as their biological bases the activity of neuronal systems in the brain’ (p.259). Does this mean that psychological life can be reduced to neuronal activity? Illustrate your answer with examples from Chapter 4, ‘Biological psychology’, from Book 1, mapping psychology The case study of Phineas Gage referred as being within the subject of Biological Psychology. As we human beings are a “biological species”, we need to be able to understand our biological make-up, to further study the Physiological field, only once we can fully understand the different part of our bodies, including the brain can we then apply Psychological research methods to study & develop understanding . Science constantly evolves to study and gain understanding, which then can lead to data interpretation methods like Psychological .The Theorist Crick,-: His belief and scientific approach called “Reductionism” (Mapping Psychology, Pg 230) Suggests that “Potentially all psychological events and experiences can fully and only explained in terms of the activity within the components of the brain”. Other Scientists do however argue that there should be a much broader view taken, and other views et should be considered.(Bolton and Hill, 1996, Stevens, 1996: Toates, 2001) These other theorists, and studies are suggested (Mapping Psychology, Pg 230) as having equally possible explanations of how our brains components affect our actions and how we are. Phineas Gage, the study and interpretation...
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...INTRODUCTION The human brain is a complex organ that begins to grow and develop at just four weeks prenatal and continues on changing and developing until a person’s death (Boyd & Bee, 2012). A person’s heredity and genes play a part in this development however a person’s experience also shapes the development of the brain. The age old debate of nature verse nurture can be applied to brain development. The following discussion will take the reader on a journey through the development of the brain from its prenatal development to its development in old age. The reader will see that it is the combination of both genes and the environment which shapes the brain. The report will show that both nature and nurture are required to develop a healthy brain. DISCUSSION The human brain is set apart from other animal in its ability relay thoughts and mental states including desires, ideas, and intentions to other individuals. This concept is referred to as theory of mind and to date has not been seen in any other animal (Harmony, 2008). The question is what shapes the brain? Is it shaped by a person’s genes or is it the environment that person lives in. The answer is both. The human brain needs both genes and experience in order to develop healthily and to its fullest potential. Brain Development Prenatal The human brain begins to development well before birth. By the sixth week of pregnancy, an embryo’s brain is able to move in response to stimuli and by week eight the brain connects with...
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...periods in which the brain experiences rapid growth, with changes continuing throughout childhood, adolescence and early adulthood. For instance, one cell can develop into an estimated 86 billion neural cells in forty weeks (lecture seven, 2016). Furthermore, the weight of the brain increases from being 4% of its adult weight five months after conception, to 25% at birth, 67% at age one, 90% at age five and 100% at age sixteen; although many internal changes continue through the early to mid-twenties (lecture seven, 2016; Spreen, Risser, & Egdell, 1995). It is thought that these significant changes in weight are due to the increase of glial cells, which have many functions such as in aiding neural transmission....
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...Physical Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood Changes in the body size and muscle – fat makeup End of the first year typical infants height is about 32 inches and 50 percent greater at birth. 2 years nearly 75 percent greater and 36 inches Baby fat helps keep constant body temperature Muscle tissue increases very slowly during infancy and will not reach a peak until adolescence. Ethnic groups differ in body size. GROWTH NORMS: Height, weight averages for children age. Children of the same age also differ in rate of physical growth, some progress more rapidly than others. SKELETON AGE: A measure of bone development determined by X-raying the long bones of the body to see extent to which soft flexible cartilage has hardened into bone, a gradual process. CHANGES IN BODY PROPORTIONS * As the child’s overall size increases, different parts of the body grow at different rates. * Two growth patterns describe these changes. * 1. CEPHALOCAUDAL TREND: During the prenatal period: the head develops more rapidly than the lower part of the body. At birth the head takes up ¼ of the body. * 2. PROXIMODISTRAL TREND: Growth start from the center of the body, outward (near to far) PRENATAL PERIOD: The head, chest and trunk grow first then the arms and legs, finally the hands and feet. INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD: The arms and legs continue to grow somewhat ahead of hands and feet. BRAIN DEVELOPMENT: At birth, the brain is nearer to its adult size brain than other...
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...refers specifically to the biology of the nervous system, whereas the latter refers to the entire science of the nervous system. The scope of neuroscience has broadened to include different approaches used to study the molecular, cellular, developmental, structural, functional, evolutionary, computational, and medical aspects of the nervous system. The techniques used by neuroscientists have also expanded enormously, from molecular and cellular studies of individual nerve cells to imaging of sensory and motor tasks in the brain. Recent theoretical advances in neuroscience have also been aided by the study of neural networks. Given the increasing number of scientists who study the nervous system, several prominent neuroscience organizations have been formed to provide a forum to all neuroscientists and educators. For example, the International Brain Research Organization was founded in 1960, the International Society for Neurochemistry in 1963, the European Brain and Behaviour Society in 1968, and the Society for Neuroscience in 1969. History The study of the nervous system dates back to ancient Egypt. Evidence of trepanation, the surgical practice of either drilling or scraping a hole into the skull with the purpose of curing headaches or mental disorders or relieving cranial pressure, being performed...
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...Component | Definition | Role in Learning and Development | Neurons | A neuron is known as an excitable cell that can process and transmit information through electrical and chemical signals. Neurons are the core components of the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord and nervous system. | Neurons begin developing in the early stages, like when a child is in the womb. Language and early stimulation is also tied in how children will interact. Interactions on a daily basis can stimulate a child’s brain. | Neurotransmitters | These are chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another neuron. Most neurotransmitters are about the size of larger proteins or peptides. | A neurotransmitter plays a part in learning and in memory. So for classwork, it is important for a student to have this In their brain to function properly. | Axon | This is a nerve fibre, it is a long slender projection of a nerve cell. This conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron’s cell body. The function of the axon is to transmit information to different neurons. | A axon is a nerve receiver, in this case it can transmit information. So it can transmit information to other parts of the brain for the child to learn properly. | Myelin sheath | This is a material that forms a layer usually around the axon of a neuron. It is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system. It is an outgrowth of a type of glial cell. In humans the production of myelin...
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...Does the Cultural Environment influence Lifespan Development more than our Genes? This debate has been ongoing for a long period of time where some believe that cultural environment influence lifespan development while others are against the claim. The argument that cultural environment influence the lifespan development of an individual more than genes is true as it is argued that culture is an evolution which is a process that is very different from genetic evolution by natural selection, and it is playing the central role in the production of people’s behavior (Guest, A.M 2011). Genes does not dictate how development will go what they do is that they participate together with the environmental influences in making some of the developmental outcomes to happen. It is also true that genes are involved in human behavior as for every aspect of a person’s phenomenon it is due to the interaction between the environment and the genome. An example that shows how gene is involved in our behavior is in the degree in which we use vision to adjust ourselves, like hitting a baseball and selection of new clothes for kids. The reason behind this is because we have genetically evolved to be sight animals whereby our perception system that is dominant is vision and the next one is hearing. The information that is in our DNA that is supposed to produce morphology and physiology which makes sight very important to us has been molded by natural selection (Guest, A.M 2011). According to evolutionary...
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...constructing experiments to explore if a particular brain structure or neurochemical system contributes to a behavior or physiologic measure. Choose an area of research we explored during the year, and discuss the method used to determine how particular brain structure(s) or neurochemical(s) contribute to behavior or physiology. 10pts. Our textbook, Biological Psychology, considers the physiological effects of attention by presenting an innovative study. Researchers presented a stimulus to participants that consisted of a face transposed over the picture of a house. First the participants were asked to focus only on the face in the picture and fMRI images showed activation of the fusiform area in the brain which is responsible for face processing. They were then asked to focus only on the house portion of the stimulus image and the fMRI images showed activation of the parrahippocampal place area which is responsible for processing location. This enforces the notion that attention causes the selective enhancement of activity in brain regions that are specialized to process particular types of stimuli 1) Physiological effects of attention: Study showing picture of face over house 2) Focus on face or focus on house 3) fMRIs showed activation of fusiform face area when looking at face 4) fMRIs showed activation of parrahippocamal place area when looking at house 5) focusing of attention causes the selective enhancement of specialized brain regions Stress has psychological and physiological...
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...• Fact 1: Babies are born with many more neurons they need, but most neurons in an infant’s brain have relatively few connections to other neurons. During the first two years of life the child’s brain establishes billions of new connections between neurons. Neurons that are not interconnected with other neurons die increasing the efficiency of the nervous system. In other words, if the baby’s experiences do not stimulate nerve connections the unused neurons are eliminated by synaptic pruning. The pruning down of the unnecessary neurons allow for the established neurons to build elaborated communication with other networks. This is contrary to other aspects of growth because the nervous system continues more effectively through the loss of...
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