Clearly, education has an immediate and definite purpose in my own life. As a student, I have been exposed to events that have had a profound impact on the development of my interests, talents, values, or what some may call intelligence. My own approach to problem solving has inspired me to frame the question of the interplay of intelligence, human behavior, learning, and experience in the language of neuroscience. Neuroscience is appealing to me because it offers an explanation for the micro and macro-level processes that operate to create my complex and unique approach to problem solving and response to the world. In this way, the alignment of neuroscience with biology and psychology offer a convincing general plan for the framework of stimulus and response. That is, neural cell development impacts upon external stimulus reception that, in turn, directs cognitive processing and eventually elicits a behavioral response. This course has indicated to me that the neural circuitry involved with such systems of stimulus and response are not linear, but complex and interdependent. What follows is an integration of brain-based theories on internal representations of experience and memory for the purpose of providing perspective, and ultimately improving the conditions for learning and development in a progressive way.
The term intrinsic variability has been drilled into our brains. No doubt, my dendritic spines have stretched, etching a special "intrinsic variability" path extending from deep in my hippocampus to the folds of my neocortex. When I recall this phrase, a furious stream of chemical spills and reactions is ignited. In my brain, this stream passes through neurons that code for other phrases that have become important to me throughout this course, for example, learning, memory, intelligence, and feedback. But like the term implies, this is my own stream. In my final web paper I will guide you through the landmarks of my path. What follows from intrinsic variability is the idea that the brain is plastic, or impressionable. It seems there is a stability-plasticity trade-off where our brains are hardwired to retain function, yet malleable enough to learn, create memories and, in some cases, compensate for functional damage (1). With each moment that passes, a particular exchange with the external world rearranges some piece of neural circuitry, yielding unique and diverse neural patterns for each individual(2).That no brain ever looks the same from one moment to the next makes the job of understanding brain function inherently difficult.
Just because Ouija boards can open portals to other realms does not mean that they should be judged by it. The “talking board” really has a bad rap these days. When they first became popular back in the day, everyone wanted to play with one. Now if you even dare to speak of one, your mother would backhand you and ship you off to a private Catholic or Christian school. Here they would try ridding the demons that are trying to convince you to use the board so you can set them free to play in our world. This is an example of the false assumptions that surround the idea of Ouija boards. Despite that Ouija boards have a bad reputation, Ouija boards do work and can be used in a positive way. Taking a look at how they work, if they work, and understanding what they are could possibly make a skeptic change their point of view.
The learning process in human beings is very natural, and we all want to learn from a very young age. Doctor Rita Smilkstein studied learning in humans for many years and has found this to be true. After reading this paper and learning about how the brain works during the learning process, you may be able to find a time in your life where you utilized the learning process, just as I began to think about how I have learned something using techniques similar to the NHLP. (“We're Born to Learn: Using the Brain's Natural Learning Process to Create Today’s Curriculum”)
Neuroscience consists of an extensive background of research that has led to various discoveries regarding the human brain. The human brain is the mediator for every aspect of the human body. The brain dictates a wide range of functions spanning from emotion and memory to heart rate and blood flow. The brain is also responsible for how we think, believe, dream and even aspire. A human’s reactions to medical treatments are even processed through the brain. The brain is the sole organ that provides all of the functions that comprise a...
Elder abuse in nursing home is a social problem that has had more and more attention in these recent years. “Elder abuse is the most recent domestic violence issue to gain the attention of the public and the medical community.” (Elder Abuse: A Review) According to the Senate Special Committee, about 5 “million older Americans are abused and neglected every year.” Abuse for the elderly can be considered a social problem due to the people who are in denial of it actually occurring, for example, the caregivers and nurses who do not consider themselves to be actually performing the abuse. It is a problem because the elders are put into these nursing homes by loved ones and ones who
...ained more confidence and preached frequently, citizens didn’t appreciate his criticism. Even when his life was at stake, his beliefs would always dominate in significance. Although Socrates had some ups and downs in his lifetime, he left his mark deep into the roots of Ancient Greece. Philosophers would follow his teachings and embark on the logic of the Socratic Method for years later to come….
When examining elder abuse, one has to first understand its terminology. However, its terminology has not been easily defined by the researchers since the term ‘elder abuse’ can be referred to many forms of abuse. Moreover, a lack of clarity exists as to what should and should not be included in definitions of elder abuse such as environmental issues, cultural issues, what constitutes neglect and if self-neglect is elder abuse(cite). And for this very reason The World Health Organisation (2002) defined elder abuse as “a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action occurring within any relationship where t...
The prevalence of elder abuse and neglect in nursing homes is underreported, unrecognized, and hidden (Ben Natan & Tabak, 2013; Falk et al. 2012; Norris, Power, Fancey, & Ross, 2013). According to Norris et al. (2013), several methodological challenges affect the research on elder abuse and neglect. Additionally, there are different state laws and legislatures regarding the definition, protocols for reporting, screening, assessment, and measurement of elder abuse and neglect (Ben Natan & Tabak, 2013; Falk et al. 2012; Norris et al. 2013). According to Ben Natan and Tabak (2013) and Bloemen, Rosen, Clark, Nash, and Mielenz (2015) the actual reported cases of elder abuse and neglect is only a fraction of the total unreported elder abuse or neglect cases in nursing homes. However, the reported rates of elder abuse and neglect to long-term care ombudsman and/or other authorities has remained constant despite the recent increases in intervention and prevention
America's burgeoning elder population has affected every segment of the social, political, and economic landscape. Public debate of the issues surrounding the special needs of the approximately 44 million persons in this country age 60 years and over has heightened national awareness and concern. As a result, public policies relating to issues such as retirement security, affordable long-term care, and quality of life are changing to meet the unique needs of the aging population. Yet, as the public looks toward improving the lives of the elderly, abuse and neglect of elders living in their own homes have gone largely unidentified and unnoticed. The National Elder Abuse Incidence Study has shed new light on this significant problem with the finding that approximately 450,000 elderly persons in domestic settings were abused and/or neglected during 1996. When elderly persons who experienced self-neglect are added, the number increases to approximately 551,000 in 1996. Additionally, through this study we have learned that:
The human brain is an incredibly complex organ responsible for basic physiological reflexes like breathing but, at the same time, creating master pieces of literature like The Odyssey. The brain is responsible for many things, and it takes multiple fields of study to truly understand it as a whole. Neuroscience focuses on the inner workings of the brain and how it functions, while psychology focuses largely on the mind and behavior. The idea that “mental activity is brain activity,” (Churchland 2002) allows both psychologists and neuroscientists alike, to study not only the brain, but its actual impact on human behavior. Without neuroscience, psychologists would not have a cause behind human behavior. However, without psychology, neuroscientists
Neglect in elder can occur when caregiver fails to provide basic needs of them which includes, food, clothing, medications, or home for older people. Physical abuse of elder can be such as: hitting, burning, pushing and molesting. And Emotional abuse is when caregivers are using threats, intimidations, verbal abuse or isolation. “As nurses, we have ethical and legal responsibilities to report elder abuse as we are mandated reporters” (Touhy & Jett, 2016, p. 424). As nurses, we have to be vigilant for all this signs and symptoms and screen for elder abuse and neglect and if abuse is witnessed or possible suspicion of abuse we need to report immediately to ombudsman or Adult Protective Services. In my job area, I have not seen an abuse, However, I want to be a nurse who will be an advocate for any of my patients especially elders and very young patients who can’t stand up for themselves, frail, week and been
Smilkstein, Rita. We're Born to Learn: Using the Brain's Natural Learning Process to Create Today's Curriculum. Thousand Oaks, Cal. Corwin Press, 2003.
The article discussed implications strategies for prevention of elder abuse. The major implications are awareness and education, intergenerational relationships, training of professionals, and empowerment of elders. Individuals need to be educated early on so that they will perceive the elderly as contributors to society. Intergenerational relationships will create a closer and positive relationship between generations. It will allow the younger population to respect the older population more. With proper training, professionals will be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of elderly abuse and know when and how to intervene. As a social worker, we play a very
pp. 164-71. LeDoux, J. E. (2002). "The 'Path How Our Brains Become Who We Are. New York: Viking Books, Inc. M. M. Merzenich, J. K. (1983).
Bruer, John T. The Myth of the First Three Years: A New Understanding of Early Brain Development and Lifelong Learning. New York: The Free Press 1999.
Learning to tie shoes and ride a bike requires the encoding, storing, and retrieving of past observations of the procedure. With a lot of practice, children master these skills so well that they are able to remember them the rest of their lives. Memory is the storing of information over time. It is one of the most important concepts in learning; if things are not remembered, no learning can take place. As a process, memory refers to the "dynamic mechanism associated with the retention and retrieval of information about past experiences" (Sternberg 260). We use our memory about the past to help us understand the present. The study or memory in psychology is used in different ways, as well as there are many different ways to study how memory works in humans. In psychology there are many tasks used to measure memory, and different types of memory storages that human's use, such as sensory storing, or short term storing. There are also a lot of techniques that humans use to improve their memory, which they can use to learn, such as mnemonic devices. All these things can be classified as important issues in the study of human memory and ways of learning.