Brain Signals, Learning, and Decision-Making

Throughout our every day lives, we do so many things without even noticing. We get out of bed, we eat, we walk, we know so many different facts and can remember so many things. But when you take a step back, you may think how is it that we can do all of this? The brain is behind it all. The brain is responsible for allowing us to remember things and for telling are muscles what to do and where to go. But to do all of these things, first we must learn it.

In the Science Daily, the article, “Brain Waves Reflect Different Types of Learning”, describes a paper by Earl K. Miller where brain signals are being compared to different types of learning. There are two different types of learning: implicit and explicit. Implicit learning refers to physical tasks. For example how your muscles remember how to ride a bike and write letters. It is basically unconscious learning. On the other, explicit learning refers to conscious learning. For example memorizing facts for an exam or knowing the laws. Different tasks may require different forms of learning; some may even require both. But both implicit and explicit learning are equally important.

In studies it was found that different brain signals were associated with different learning. In one study, animals were taught to match two things, which required explicit learning. It was observed that when they got the correct match alpha2-beta brain waves increased and when it was incorrect deta-theta waves increased. The alpha2-beta waves would then decrease after learning. The animals were then taught to move their head in response to a stimulus, which required implicit learning. During this it was seen that deta-theta waves increased when it was correct and then later decreased. So by looking at the different brain waves, one could determine what kind of learning it going on.

During a neuroscience seminar at Loyola University Chicago, Joe Vukov spoke about the role of the brain when looking at free will and decision-making. Vukov referred to the Soon et al. (2008) paper we read called “Unconscious Determinants of Free Decisions in the Human Brain.” This paper related to the article that was earlier described. In Soon’s paper it is described how for up to 10 seconds before someone can consciously make a decision, the brain has already showed activity regarding that specific decision. In this study participants were told to choose what button to press while their brain activity was being recorded. In both Soon’s study and the one earlier described, brain activity is being measured while a task is being performed and each shows specific activity at or before certain actions were taken.  Deta-theta waves were likely present during the experiment in Soon’s paper. Likewise, during the studies in Miller’s paper, the brain activity relating to deciding what things to match during explicit learning was likely there.

Discoveries like this are still being made by neuroscientists. It is very important for scientists to be able to recognize what brain signals are related to different functions. Being able to do this will lead to Alzheimer’s and amnesia patients being able to get more help as well people with learning deficits. All of this will lead to even more research and findings about learning and decision-making.

Works Cited

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "Brain waves reflect different types of learning." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 12 October 2017. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171012122820.htm>.
Soon, Chun Siong, Marcel Brass, Hans-Jochen Heinze, and John-Dylan Haynes. "Unconscious Determinants of Free Decisions in the Human Brain." Nature Neuroscience 11.5 (2008): 543-45. Web.
Vukov, Joe. (2017). Speech presented at Neuroscience Seminar, Loyola University Chicago.