Course name: Science of the mind.

Question 2

2a) Overview and Definitions. In a few sentences, explain how the somatotopic brain mapping techniques of Wilder Penfield and Michael Merzenich helped change our perspective on brain plasticity.

2b) Case-study Review the article on the changing brain maps of growing rats we did in class OR this article on Increased Cortical Representation of the Fingers of the Left Hand in String Players String Players Study (Links to an external site.)OR Louisa’s experience as a double cochlear implant user Luisa’s story (Links to an external site.). Explain what additional perspectives your chosen case-study offers on brain maps and brain plasticity, and how it has helped you understand them better.

2c) Applying your knowledge Think of a skill / habit you would like to acquire or one you would like to ditch. Use your knowledge of brain plasticity to design a concrete, clear plan to help you do this. Explain the reasoning behind each of your steps. Please use Norman Doidge – The Brain that Changes Itself – Chapter 3 – Redesigning the Brain.pdf Download Norman Doidge – The Brain that Changes Itself – Chapter 3 – Redesigning the Brain.pdfDoidge’s chapter to help you understand the science behind brain plasticity.

IMPORTANT: Regardless of which options you choose, one thing remains constant: You MUST use at least THREE academic sources in your analysis, TWO of which must come from Perlego or from the academic papers and chapters I have posted for you on mycourses. The remaining academic source should come from your own independent research (Perlego is a good place to look). All options require a reading list at the end of the essay/document/videoclip. If you are producing a video-clip, include a page with your sources as your last shot and make sure you openly refer to the sources in your voice-over narration. For example, you could say: ” In his book on addiction, in the chapter on Women and Drugs, Kuhar points out that …” You should also refer, where appropriate, to any relevant discussions and in-class group work tasks we did in class throughout the course.

Academic sources = published academic books, articles from peer-reviewed journals, academic lectures or podcasts given by academics or experts in the field. Newspaper articles, blogs, websites, your uncle’s opinion and your own reflections are not academic sources. This does not mean that you can’t use them, it just means you must use them IN ADDITION TO AND NOT INSTEAD OF traditional academic sources.

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