Hebbian learning and development.
Hebbian learning is a biologically plausible and ecologically valid learning mechanism. In Hebbian learning, 'units that fire together, wire together'. Such learning may occur at the neural level in terms of long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). Many features of Hebbian learning are relevant to developmental theorizing, including its self-organizing nature and its ability to extract statistical regularities from the environment. Hebbian learning mechanisms may also play an important role in critical periods during development, and in a number of other developmental phenomena.
Munakata
Yuko
Y
Department of Psychology, University of Colorado Boulder, 80309-0345, USA. munakata@psych.colorado.edu
Pfaffly
Jason
J
D000818:Animals; D003423:Critical Period, Psychological; D006803:Human Development / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009435:Synaptic Transmission