Abstract
Since the work of Semon was rediscovered by Schacter in 1978, there has been a renewed interest is searching for the “engram” as the locus of memory in the brain and Hebb’s cell assembly has been equated with Semon’s engram. There have been many theories of memory involving some concept of synaptic change, culminating in the “Hebb Synapse” theory in 1949. However, Hebb said that the idea that any two cells or systems of cells that are repeatedly active at the same time will tend to become “associated,” was not his idea, but an old one. In this manuscript we give an overview of some of the theories of the neural basis of learning and memory before Hebb and describe the synaptic theory of William McDougall, which appears to have been an idea ahead of its time; so far ahead of its time that it was completely ignored by his contemporaries. We conclude by examining some critiques of McDougall’s theory of inhibition and with a short discussion on the fate of neuroscientists whose ideas were neglected when first presented but were accepted as important many decades later.
Highlights
What is the neural basis of learning and memory? This question has concerned philosophers, physiologists, and psychologists since ancient times (Burnham, 1888, 1889a,b; Yates, 1966)
Many of these theories are discussed by Lashley (1934); Hilgard and Marquis (1940), and Morgan (1943), but we focus on the synaptic theory of William McDougall, which appears to have been an idea ahead of its time; so far ahead of its time that it was completely ignored
In The Organization of Behavior (1949), Hebb proposed that the neural basis of learning, memory and other psychological processes involved synaptic changes, cell assemblies and phase sequences, which connect the neurophysiological mechanisms studied by physiologists to thought and “mind” as studied by psychologists
Summary
What is the neural basis of learning and memory? This question has concerned philosophers, physiologists, and psychologists since ancient times (Burnham, 1888, 1889a,b; Yates, 1966). Following the development of the neuron theory and naming the synapse in the 1890’s there have been many theories concerning synaptic change, culminating in the “Hebb Synapse” theory (Hebb, 1949), but what were these theories? In this manuscript we give an overview of the pre-synaptic theories of the neural basis of learning and memory (before 1897), those of James (1890) and the post-synaptic theories (between 1897 and 1949)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.