Learning and Memory Essay

If one were to explain what it is to learn something new, they would certainly mention memory somewhere in their explanation. As well as if someone was to explain memory, they certainly would have learning mentioned in their explanation. This is because learning and memory go hand in hand. When one learns, they store what they learned in their memory whether it is short term or long term. It would go without saying that memory and learning has to do with the brain, hence the importance of keeping one’s brain functioning properly by insuring proper stimulation and continuously learning new things. Now, the ability to learn and to memorize what is learned stems from different areas of the brain. The brain is a part of an individual’s neuroanatomy. Neuroanatomy refers to the structure of the nervous system. The nervous system is made up of different parts. Those parts are broken up by having the main one being the nervous system, and then it is divided by the central nervous system brain and spinal cord on one end. The other ends are much more complex and, consist of the peripheral nervous system which then branches off to other ones. These each control different parts of the nervous system and give the ability for people to sleep, eat or learn. The part of our nervous system that pertains to learning is the brain. The part in the brain that helps with learning is called the hippocampus. The hippocampus is in the limbic system. It is the part of the brain where the learning that people do in day to day life takes place. Learning is a neurobiological that is important to humans and being able to be conscious. The communication that happens between singular neuroanatomical structures and their abilities to repeat neurophysiologic activities is combined as a network of neural activity. These things occur in the cortex and create different types of learning for people. The movement that is ongoing changes in the synaptic area of the nerves. These active activities make the synaptic connectors stronger with the result of the continuous activity and then this creates memories that help an individual learn and remember what they have learned. It has been taught that learning is not singled out to one certain area of the brain itself. The cerebral cortex is where all the learning is. When a person is learning to read, walk, or talk it occurs here. One of the many different neural processes involved in learning is the synaptic inputs that occur in the brain. When a synaptic input in a certain neuron is combined with two different synapse then; it creates a long term depression or a long term printed memory, this is something that occurs and has been known to create learning involved with motor skills. Learning is mainly either a process that one learns through the brain with the use of classical conditioning and also instrumental conditioning. Our brains respond to the many different things that are in a human’s surroundings. In the process of a human’s learning new things is by the development of a neuron and its effectiveness to make new synaptic connections or reinforcing the strengths of the neurons that are already in place. The relationship between learning and memory has been a subject of much debate among psychologists, teachers, and society in general for many years now. It is what we learn and how we learn it that is responsible for how we live in the world and how we deal with the world around us. Learning has been a fundamental part of our survival ever since Cro-Magnon man. He/she had to learn how to make spears, sharp points, even mastering the bow and arrow was important to the survival and the spread of the human species. Why, though, if humanity has so much â€Å"experience† in learning, then why do we forget things? The brain is the organ that is responsible for what we call the mind. It is the basis for thinking, feeling, wanting, perceiving, learning and memory, curiosity, and behavior. Memory is a fundamental mental process, and without memory we are capable of nothing but simple reflexes and stereotyped behaviors (Okano, 2000). Both the brain and memory are responsible for our learning. The brain assists us in figuring out a solution to the problem and to solve it. Our memory is responsible for storing that information within our brains in case we ever need it for a later date, or if we ever need to apply it to another problem which is similar. During this learning process, our brain is communicating with that section of our mind that is responsible for memorizing methods, actions, and procedures for finding a solution to a given problem. Since our memory is only a mental process and not a â€Å"supercomputer† like the brain, it stands to reason that our memories need to recall different types of information using dissimilar methods. We define memory as a behavioral change caused by an experience, and define learning as a process for acquiring memory. According to these definitions, there are different kinds of memory. Some memories, such as those concerning events and facts, are available to our consciousness; this type of memory is called â€Å"declarative memory. † However, another type of memory, called â€Å"procedural memory,† is not available to consciousness. This is the memory that is needed, for example, to use a previously learned skill (Okano, 2000). When someone is learning something, they assume that they are acquiring the knowledge to write a paper or to build a chair. Actually, all a person is really doing is creating memories for them to recall the information. While we are in the process of creating these memories, our brains are at work in determining the best ways to store them in our memories. This might be learning a piece of music by only playing the 3rd or 4th notes, or by building a chair by starting with top first instead of the bottom. Each person’s brain is different from another person so each method of memorization would be different. This theory has been proven using animals that work together. For instance, one taxonomic group of birds, the oscines or true songbirds, all learn to sing by imitation. To produce biologically functional songs, they need to hear examples of species songs during development, which they commit to memory. They subsequently perfect their song performance by ear and are capable of using both memorized material as well as songs of birds they can hear to produce an acceptable species song (Okano, 2000). Birds, and other animals, have shown that they use memory in order to learn a skill or to work together to achieve a common goal or result. The ability to apply the right knowledge effectively is an important skill and the cornerstone of our success, because we live in the Knowledge Age. People who have not used a computer in 10 years to find an article on the Internet definitely understand strength of knowledge and learning. Learning develops interesting people. Knowledge enables us to have different perspectives, fascinating conversation and a deeper understanding. It makes us well rounded better people; it allows us to make better, informed decisions; and assists us in becoming more successful in our lives and careers. Technology has made our lives become fast paced; the advancement of technology has boosted the pace of our lives, and requires us to learn something new each day just to stay current in the workplace. The day’s on-the-job training is something we can no longer rely on; companies can no longer be the basis to provide the necessary education. We must seek out more education just to keep up. It’s advantageous for everyone to make time for learning, seek out their own opportunities, use available resources wisely, and find new resources. Our children are a good example of how fast technology has increased the need for learning. They our learning how to use technology much earlier than we ever did, it seems like they are born with the ability to operate a computer. Brain stimulation can help with Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain, Major depression, and Tourette syndrome. Stimulating the brain helps to relieve symptoms of these conditions when medications are not working or have major side effects. The stimulation can help people with Parkinson’s disease to manage their symptoms of tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability. Brain stimulation has produced impressive results with some patients with chronic pain, some patients are virtually pain free after treatment and even released from the hospital. Brain stimulation has been found to significantly decrease depression and increase in function. Although highly experimental, brain stimulation has had success. Patients experience reduction in tics and the disappearance of obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Lifelong learning and brain stimulation helps to manage and relive a symptom which increases life longevity and quality of life for the patients. Patients who continue to learn and stimulate their minds increase life longevity and quality of life because they are able to eliminate medications which can have very harmful side effects. These medications can actually shorten life and decrease quality of life because of the side effects. Taking medication out of the treatment of any kind will always increase life longevity and quality life. Most of all any time a patient is able to manage and relive symptoms, their life longevity and quality of life will have a great increase. As must as society tells us our physical up keep is so important for our health and life longevity, it would seem keep care of our brain is just as important as well. The brain is a muscle, and it is a part of our nervous system. It controls our breathing, eating, learning, memory, and so much more. Keeping care of our brains allows an individual to learn, remember things, and increase their life longevity as well. It would not seem that is keeping up on learning and remembering what we have learned will make us live longer, however this is how this muscle is exercised! It can also help control and care for one’s mental defects as well. It would seem, no matter what someone is wanting to believe, learning is never finished! REFERENCES Fernandez, A. (2011). Brain Health Business Grows With Research and Demand. Retrieved from http://www. sharpbrains. com/blog/2008/05/20/brain-health-business-grows-with-research-and-demand/ Lopez-Hernandez E. and Solis, H. (2012). Proceedings of the National Academy of Applied Sciences. Retrieved from http://www. pnas. org/content/97/23/12403. full Okano, H. (2000). Learning and memory. Retrieved from http://www. pnas. org/content/97/23/12403. full Pinel, J. P. J. (2009). Biopsychology (7th ed. ). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.