Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Plasticity in psychology refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt as a result of experience. It can reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.
This is a specific type of plasticity that refers to the ability of neurons (nerve cells) in the brain to compensate for injury or disease and adjust their activities in response to new situations or changes in their environment.
Cortical remapping: This is a process that occurs when the cortical map (the part of the brain responsible for processing sensory information) is altered due to environmental changes or bodily injury.
Synaptic pruning: This is a neurological regulatory process, which facilitates a productive change in neural structure by reducing the overall number of overproduced or "weak" neurons into more efficient synaptic configurations.