6 - Learning Biology & Brain

Question 1

Taste Aversion Learning

Answer 1

After becoming sick due to a food item, item becomes warning stimulus for sickness

Question 2

Why may taste aversion not be a product of classical conditioning?

Answer 2

• only one trial
• Delayed conditioning
• Selectivity

Question 3

Rescorla-Wagner Model

Answer 3

CC model, learning conceptualized in terms of associations between CS and US

Question 4

3 fundamental ideas of evolution (Darwin)

Answer 4

1. Individuals of a species varry (behv/phys)
2. SOME variations are genetically inheritable
3. Competition among members of species

Question 5

Hindbrain structures

Answer 5

Medulla oblongata, pons, cerebellum

Question 6

What do the hindbrain structures do

Answer 6

Control/coordinate & balance movement (voluntary/involuntary)

Question 7

Midbrain structures

Answer 7

Tectum, tegmentum

Question 8

What do the midbrain structures do (generally)

Answer 8

Orientation to sensory inputs, sleeping, movement/arousal

Question 9

Structures of the forebrain

Answer 9

Diencephalon, tenecephalon, basal ganglia, limbic system

Question 10

What does the forebrain do?

Answer 10

Advanced cognitive abilities and complex social interactions

Question 11

4 basic forms of learning

Answer 11

Perceptual, stimulus-response, motor, relational

Question 12

Perceptual learning

Answer 12

• Recognizing/locating things/environmental stimuli.
• Novelty and change detection
• Involves dorsal and ventral streams

Question 13

Stimulus-response learning

Answer 13

Automatic response due to presentation of stimulus

Question 14

Motor Learning

Answer 14

Behaviour involving movement. Requires environmental sensory guidance

Question 15

Relational learning

Answer 15

Neuronal connections in systems that includes memories that can be verbally expressed and motor memory

Question 16

Long-term potentiation LPT

Answer 16

Persistent strengthening of synapses due to 2 neurons firing simultaneously which leads to increased ability of postsynaptic to respond to presynaptic

Question 17

Long-term depression (LTD)

Answer 17

Decreases synaptic connections

Question 18

What did we learn from patient HM?

Answer 18

Hippocampus involved in converting short term memories to long term memories

Question 19

Declarative memory (explicit)

Answer 19

Memory that can be expressed verbally

Question 20

Nondeclaritive memory (implicit)

Answer 20

Formation doesn’t depend on hippocampal formation, perceptual, stimulus-response, and motor memory

Question 21

Hebbian Learning

Answer 21

Neurons adapt and form stronger connections through repeated use

Question 22

Instrumental learning

Answer 22

More likely to engage in behaviour if it’s pleasurable