Chapter 2 Flashcards
A process
primary process in opponent process theory
appetitive behavior
behavior that occurs early in the natural behavior sequence and serves to bring the organism in contact with a pleasing stimulus
B process
opponent process in opponent process theory of motivation
consummatory behavior
behavior that serves to bring a natural sequence of behavior to consummation or completion. Usually species-typical model action patterns
drug tolerance
reduction of the effectiveness of a drug as a result of repeated use of a drug
efferent neuron
neuron that transmits impulses to muscles. Also called motor neuron
fatigue
A temporary decrease in behavior caused by
repeated or excessive use of the muscles involved in the
behavior.
focal search mode
the second component of the feeding behavior sequence following general search, in which the organism engages in behavior focused on a particular location or stim that is indicative of the presence of food. A form of appetitive behavior that is more closely related to food than general search
general search mode
the earliest component of the feeding behavior sequence, in which the organism engages in nondirected locomotive behavior. a form of appetitive behavior
habituation effect
a progressive decrease in the vigor of elicited behavior that may occur with repeated presentations of the eliciting stimulus
habituation process
a neural mechanism activated by repetitions of a stimulus that reduces the magnitude of repetitions elicited by that stimulus
interneuron
a neuron in the spinal cord that transmits impulses from afferent (sensory) to efferent (motor) neurons
MAP-modal action pattern
a response pattern exhibited by most, if not all, members of a species in much the same way. used as basic units of behavior i nethological investigations of behavior
opponent process
A compensatory mechanism that
occurs in response to the primary process elicited by
biologically significant events. The opponent process
causes physiological and behavioral changes that are
the opposite of those caused by the primary process.
Also called the b process.
primary process
The first process in the opponent
process theory of motivation that is elicited by a
biologically significant stimulus. Also called the a
process.
reflex
A close relation between an eliciting stimulus
and a resulting response that is mediated by a neural circuit (the reflex arc) that links afferent neurons activated by the stimulus with efferent neurons that trigger response output. As a consequence, the eliciting stimulus usually produces the reflex response, which rarely occurs otherwise.
releasing stimulus
sign stimulus
sensitization effect
An increase in the vigor of elicited behavior that may result from repeated presentations of the eliciting stimulus or from exposure to a strong extraneous stimulus.
sensitization process
A neural mechanism that increases the magnitude of responses elicited by a stimulus.
sensory adaptation
A temporary reduction in the sensitivity of sense organs caused by repeated or excessive stimulation.
sensory neuron
afferent neuron
sign stimulus
A specific feature of an object or animal that elicits a modal action pattern. Also called releasing stimulus.
spontaneous recovery
Return of responding to baseline levels produced by a period of rest after habituation or sensitization.
S-R system
The shortest neural pathway that connects
the sense organs stimulated by an eliciting stimulus and
the muscles involved in making the elicited response.
state system
neural structures that determine the general level of responsiveness or arousal of the organism
supernormal stimulus
a sign stimulus whose features have been artificially enhanced or exaggerated to produce an abnormally large modal action patter
