Showing papers on "Developmental plasticity published in 1980"

Elementary Learning and Behavioral Plasticity

Abstract: This chapter presents an overview of elementary learning and behavioral plasticity. Most, if not all, species of animals with nervous systems appear to have the ability to learn and their nervous system is highly plastic. In current usage, plasticity can refer to virtually any form of change in the nervous system or behavior, ranging from axon sprouting and modification of dendritic spines, through changing levels of neurotransmitters and their enzymes, to human learning and memory. The term behavioral plasticity was introduced in 1890 to refer to any meaningful change in behavior. There are two major forms of elementary behavioral plasticity. In one form, exemplified by habituation and sensitization, a change is induced in an already existing response to a stimulus. This form is nonassociative: other responses are not involved. In the other form, exemplified by classic conditioning, a new response is brought out. This form is associative: a new stimulus–response relationship is established. The general term often used for this category is associative plasticity or associative learning. Habituation appears to be the most ubiquitous form of behavioral plasticity.