Explain the process of "synaptic pruning" and describe why it is helpful to an infant's development.

What will be an ideal response?


A good answer would include the following key points:
- Babies are born with many more neurons than they need
- The brain has the capability of "pruning down" unnecessary neurons based on an infant's experiences in the world.
- The unnecessary neurons eventually die, which increases the efficiency of the remaining neurons in the nervous system.
- The result of synaptic pruning is to allow established neurons to build more elaborate communication networks with other neurons.

Psychology

You might also like to view...

One of the main features of Textspeak is

a. contractions. c. active language. b. rebus abbreviations. d. pidgins.

Psychology

Alfred's presentation was full of jargon and confusing references that left his colleagues puzzled. According to McGuire's model, he failed at gaining ______.

A. Step 1 exposure B. Step 2 attention C. Step 3 comprehension D. Step 4 acceptance

Psychology

As children move from the sensorimotor to the preoperational stage,

A) make-believe play diminishes. B) thinking becomes abstract. C) the use of objects in play becomes more realistic. D) symbolic mental activity increases.

Psychology

Cross-categorization works because:

a. “us” and “them” distinctions become less clear b. You realize that you share a group membership with (former) outgroup members c. A and B

Psychology