Lecture 01 Human behaviour

Question 1

Behaviour

Answer 1

an
action, activity or
process which can be
observed and
measured.

Question 2

Decision contexts

Answer 2

Time pressure, urgency, reversibility, investment, cost, duration, expertise, familiarity

Question 3

Properties of behaviour

Answer 3

Conscious/unconscious, simple/complex, take effort/courage, voluntary/involuntary, familiar/unfamiliar, innate/learned

Question 4

Innate behaviour

Answer 4

Genetically hardwired behaviour in an organism

Question 5

Learned behaviour

Answer 5

A learned behaviour is one
that an organism develops
as a result of their
experiences.

Question 6

What is a habit?

Answer 6

A habit is a repeated behaviour that is triggered by cues in our environment.

Question 7

Classical conditioning

Answer 7

Learning to associate a neutral stimulus with an involuntary response, by repeatedly pairing the neutral stimulus with something that causes the involuntary response.

Question 8

Operant conditioning

Answer 8

Learning to associate a
voluntary behaviour with a
consequence. (reward/punishment)

Question 9

What is a reinforcement?

Answer 9

A reinforcement is any
event that increases the
likelihood that the same
behaviour will occur again.

Question 10

What is a punishment?

Answer 10

A punishment is any event
that reduces the likelihood
that the behaviour will
occur again.

Question 11

Positive reinforcement

Answer 11

Adding something desired (presenting a positive stimulus) (e.g., receiving an award for outstanding efforts)

Question 12

Negative reinforcement

Answer 12

Removing something undesired (removing a negative stimulus) (e.g., the beeping sound in a car stops once the seat belt is used)

Question 13

Intermittent reinforcement

Answer 13

A reward is delivered
at irregular intervals (not
every time that the
behaviour is performed

Question 14

Drive-Reduction Theory

Answer 14

Organisms strive for homeostasis, a balanced state.

Over time, we learn which behaviours can reduce
tension (drive reduction) and restore homeostasis.

Question 15

Learned Helplessness

Answer 15

A negative situation
No control over
No attempts to change
circumstances even
when they have the
control back.

Question 16

Motivation for neurotypicals in building a habit

Answer 16

rewards, importance, consequence

Question 17

Motivation for neurodivergent (adhd, autism)

Answer 17

interest, novelty, challenge, urgency, passion

Question 18

The Fundamental Attribution Error

Answer 18

Behaviour change is approached from a place of biased assumptions, not empathy.

Question 19

Motivation

Answer 19

Energizes, directs and sustains behaviour.
Seeking and wanting change.
The ‘why’ of human behaviour.
A dynamic state, not a trait.

Question 20

Arousal

Answer 20

Arousal is a personal state of activation. It describes a
variation in the readiness of an organism to react.

Question 21

Incentive

Answer 21

Anticipated affective state

Question 22

Intrinsic incentive

Answer 22

Driven by the enjoyment
of an activity.

Question 23

Extrinsic incentive

Answer 23

Tied to external goals or
purposes.

Question 24

Approach motivation

Answer 24

Refers to someone who is
motivated by the prospect of a positive outcome.

Question 25

Avoidance motivation

Answer 25

Being strongly motivated by doing something to avoid a negative outcome.

Question 26

Intention action gap

Answer 26

Describes the discrepancy between our intentions, or what we plan to achieve, and our actual actions, or what we ultimately do

Question 27

The Broaden-and-Build Theory of
Positive Emotions

Answer 27

Positive emotions such as joy, interest, and
contentment broaden our thought-action repertoire.

Negative emotions narrow our mindsets, as does exerting self-control

Question 28

Field Theory

Answer 28

Several “forces” affecting an individual at the same time can lead to goal conflicts.

Question 29

Approach-approach conflicts

Answer 29

e.g., having to choose between two equally attractive options

Question 30

Avoidance-avoidance conflicts

Answer 30

e.g., choosing between two aversive options

Question 31

approach-avoidance conflicts

Answer 31

e.g., an attractive goal that requires aversive actions before it can be attained)