Neuroplasticity ERQ

Neuroplasticity limitations

Additionally, there are many limitations, such as methodological concerns. Firstly, many of the studies, such as Draginski and Maguire, focus on a very small sample size and are often hard to replicate, meaning that it is hard for resutls to be genealized to those outside of these samples. Additionally, most studies only focus on a specific region of the brain, for instance the hippocampus, making it hard to generalize evidence to the rest of the brain. Additionally, many of the technology used in studies such as Dranginski and Maguire are very young and much of the knowledge has yet to be uncovered as it is still being explored. There are also areas of uncertainties in the theory, primarily, it is very reductionist, meaning that it attempts to analyze complex behavior in a very simplistic manner. Some researchers may argue that more thorough understanding of the brain is required to truly understand complex cognitive processes.

Neuroplasticity strengths

In order to discuss neuroplasticity is a more holistic approach, the strengths and weaknesses can be explored. Strengths of the theory include the fact that, as exemplified by both Draginski and Maguire, localization of function has been well supported by empirical evidence. Additionally, it has far reaching implications in understanding how our brains change and adapt to experiences and knowledge. The theory has enabled medical professionals to establish more effective calculations in response to brain injuries, and utilizing the concept of brain plasticity to overcome damage. Lastly, this theory has been seen to hold true in many real life situations as after people had parts of their brain removed, they were able to regain skills due to brain plasticity that would have otherwise been lost.

Maguire

Maguire et al conducted a study investigating whether the brains of taxi drivers would be somehow different as a result of the exceptional training that they have to do to be certified. In order for the taxi drivers to take part in the study, they needed to have completed a knowledge test and have their license for more than 1.5 years. An MRI was conducted on both male taxi drivers and males who did not drive taxis. There were two key findings, the first was that the posterior hippocampus of taxi drivers was significantly larger than the non-taxi drivers and the anterior hippocampus was significantly smaller. It was also revealed that the volume of the right posterior hippocampus correlated with the amount of time spent as a taxi driver.

Intro

This essay will explain neuroplasticity with reference to two studiesi. Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change and adapt the connections between neurous, this takes place due to learning or experiences. Neural networks are defined as when neurons connect with other neurons and produce a series of webbed interconnections, neural networks are ultimately what produce (or stop) behavior. One form of neuroplasticity is the strengthening of synapses, this is due to a process called long term potentiation, where the repition of a task results in neuroplasticity. LTP also leads to dendritic branching, where the dentrites of the neurons aegrow in numbers and connect with other neurons. However, a lack of potentiation as a result of discontinued behavior leads to neural pruning, the process by which extra neurons and synaptic connections are eliminated.

Maguire evaluation

This study reveals how brain structure can change in response to environmental demand. Strengths of the study include that it has high ecological validity as participants were not asked to do anything while in the scanner. Additionally, because an MRI is non-invasive, the study does not suffer from ethical concerns. Although sampling bias can be argued for, the majority of cab drivers in London are male, however results are still difficult to generalize. Lastly, the brain scans were coded so that analysis could be done blindly, meaning that researcher bias could be avoided as researchers did not know whose brain scan was whose. Limitations include that because it was a quasi-experiment, no cause and effect relationship was established. Lastly, research was correlational, meaning it was prone to a third lurking variable, for example, those with a larger hippocampus were more likely to pass the driving test.