1. Defining the trend, theory or effective practice.
Brain Research
Brain Research is the study of exploring and examining the human and animal brain by investigating how the brain develops, the physical and chemical make-up of the organ, the functions the brain performs and how the brain reacts to stimuli.
Brain research can be performed by physically examining the brain, using x-rays and other technological advances and by observing a subject’s reaction to stimuli.
Definition (types) of brain research
· Behavioral experiments
· Post mortem studies of human brains
· Studies of brains other than humans
· Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - displays living brain at various stages
· Positron Emission Tomography (PET) - used to study brain chemistry
· Magentoencephalography (MEG) - used to show pictures of the working brainTop
How the Brain LearnsThe nerve cells in the brain capture and transmit information to different parts of the brain; brain stem, cerebellum, hypothalamus, and cerebrum. Each part of the brain processes that information and is responsible for different functions. The cerebrum is responsible for initiating motor functions, controls emotions and memory and thought processes.
Learning TheoryLearning theory is an idea designed to explain how people and animals acquire a skill or modify behavior as a result of conditioning or other stimuli.
"The term 'learning theory" suggests the empirical study of human and animal learning stemming from the behaviorist paradigm in psychology". http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/learning-formal/
Next: 2. What is the purpose, goals or desired outcome?
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University of South Carolina
College of Mass Communication and Information Studies
School of Library and Information Science
Page last updated on 01/28/08