CH 13

Question 1

Another severe limitation of learning

Answer 1

non-inheritability of learning

Question 2

Why is the non-heritability (He means non-inheritability, doesn’t he?) of learning is an “obvious limitation” of learning?

Answer 2

it places a serious limitation on the ability of a species to benefit from experience

Question 3

Four ways the nervous system can be damaged that affect learning

Answer 3

1.Prenatal exposure to alcohol and other drugs
2.Neurotoxins – substances (e.g., lead, pesticides, herbicides) that damage nerve tissues
3.Head injury
4.Malnitrition

Question 4

Critical period

Answer 4

A period during an animals’ life when it is especially likely to learn a particular kind of behavior

Question 5

Imprinting

Answer 5

The tendency of some animals, particularly birds, to follow the first moving object they see after birth, usually (but not necessarily) their mother.

Question 6

Three types of preparedness:

Answer 6

1.Prepared – Learning proceeds quickly.
2.Unprepared – Learning proceeds steadily but more slowly.
3.Contraprepared – Learning proceeds slowly and irregularly
4.Instinctive drift – The tendency for behavior to “drift toward” a modal action pattern.

Question 7

Prepared

Answer 7

Learning proceeds quickly.

Question 8

Unprepared

Answer 8

Learning proceeds steadily but more slowly

Question 9

Contra-prepared

Answer 9

Learning proceeds slowly and irregularly

Question 10

Instinctive drift

Answer 10

The tendency for behavior to “drift toward” a modal action pattern.

Question 11

Continuum of preparedness

Answer 11

The idea that organisms are genetically disposed to learn some things but not others.

Question 12

Autoshaping (aka sign tracking)

Answer 12

The innate tendency of a pigeon to peck an object associated with food even though pecking is not required for the food to appear.