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Herb

Unit 2 - Biological Approach To Behaviour

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Magnifying Glass Tilted Left

Unit 1 - Research Methodology

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Brain

Unit 3 - Cognitive Approach To Behaviour

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Globe Showing Europe Africa

Unit 4 - Sociocultural Approach To Behaviour

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Performing Arts

Unit 6 - Health psychology

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Busts In Silhouette

Unit 7 - Pyschology Of Human Relationships

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Chart Increasing

Unit 8 - Developmental psychology

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Bar-Chart

Unit 9 - Internal Assessment

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Light Bulb

Unit 10 - The IB Curriculum - A Conceptual Model

<ul>
	<li>Definition: Neuroplasticity is the fantastic ability of your brain to reshape and change during your life.</li>
	<li>How? By creating or getting rid of connections (called synapses) between neurons (brain cells).</li>
	<li>Brain Yoga: Imagine the brain is like Play-Doh. If you practice new skills or have new experiences, the Play-Doh gets molded into new shapes. Likewise, the brain changes its structure based on experiences!</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Genetics: Like a computer software update, our brain has its pre-programmed growth stages.</li>
	<li>Environment: Think of a soccer player who gets a head injury or when you learn to play the guitar. Your brain will adapt!</li>
</ul>

🔬 Different Levels of Neuroplasticity 🔬

<ul>
	<li>Micro Level - Synaptic Plasticity: One neuron tweaking its connections.

	<ul>
		<li>Cool Fact: The famous saying, &quot;neurons that fire together, wire together&quot; means that if neurons work together frequently, they get closer. On the other hand, &quot;neurons that fire out of sync, fail to link&quot; means if they&#39;re not working in harmony, they might drift apart.</li>
	</ul>
	</li>
	<li>Macro Level - Cortical Remapping: Imagine a city where a library (Brain area X) burned down, and then the nearby school (Brain area Y) takes over its functions. Same concept!</li>
</ul>

Study by Merzenich et al (1984)

<ul>
	<li>Step 1 - Brain Mapping: Kind of like using Google Maps but for monkey brains. They checked which part of the brain responded when they touched each monkey finger.</li>
	<li>Step 2 - Middle Finger Removal: They amputated the middle finger of the monkey (a bit harsh, right? 😟).</li>
	<li>Step 3 - Re-mapping: 62 days later, they did another &quot;brain Google Maps&quot; check.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Before, each finger had its own &quot;brain zone.&quot; Imagine 5 houses in a row, each for one finger.</li>
	<li>After amputation, the middle finger&#39;s house was empty.</li>
	<li>Here&#39;s the cool part: The neighboring houses (representing fingers 2 and 4) expanded, taking over the space of the now-vacant middle finger house. Houses for fingers 1 and 5 remained unchanged.</li>
	<li>Conclusion: Within just 62 days, the monkey brain changed its structure, adapting to the missing finger!</li>
</ul>

🌏 Real-world Application: Ever heard of people who, after an injury, learn to use other parts of their bodies to perform tasks? That&#39;s neuroplasticity in action! It&#39;s like when a main road is closed for construction, and you find an alternative route. Your brain is an adaptable, changing map, always finding new ways to help you out!

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End of Notes: Remember, your brain&#39;s ability to adapt and reshape is truly incredible! So, keep learning, keep experiencing, and keep molding that brain Play-Doh! 🧠✨🚀

Unlock the Secrets of Your Adaptable Brain: Neuroplasticity Unveiled

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Standard Level

Psychology SL

Unit 2 - Biological Approach To Behaviour

Unlock the Secrets of Your Adaptable Brain: Neuroplasticity Unveiled

Table of content

Neuroplasticity explained 🧠

Why does the brain change? 🤓

Unlock the Full Content!

Unit 2 - Biological Approach To Behaviour

Unlock the Secrets of Your Adaptable Brain: Neuroplasticity Unveiled

Table of content

Neuroplasticity explained 🧠

Why does the brain change? 🤓

Unlock the Full Content!