US High School Psychology Practice Exam 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of the brain to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This adaptive capability allows the brain to adjust its activities in response to new situations, experiences, or injuries. For example, if one part of the brain is damaged, neuroplasticity enables other parts to compensate for that loss, potentially restoring lost functions or enhancing new skills.

While the formation of new memories is a function associated with the brain, it is not the definition of neuroplasticity. Similarly, learning through repetition is a process that can involve neuroplastic changes but is not the same as neuroplasticity itself. Genetic influences on brain development certainly play a role in how the brain grows and functions, but these influences are separate from the concept of neuroplasticity, which focuses on the adaptability and reorganization of neural pathways throughout an individual's life.