Module 21: Biology, Cognition, and Learning

Question 1

Preparedness

Answer 1

A biological predisposition to learn associations, such as between taste and nausea, that have survival value.

Question 2

John Garcia

Answer 2

• Exposed rats to a taste (CS) and later to radiation (US) which led to nausea and vomiting (UR)
• Even after getting sickened hours later, rats avoided the flavor
• This violated the belief that for conditioning to occur, the US must immediately follow the CS
• Rats only developed aversion to taste —-> not sights or sounds which violated the idea that any perceivable stimulus could serve as a CS

Question 3

Taste aversion

Answer 3

Getting sick after a food causes the food to be avoided

Question 4

Instinctive drift

Answer 4

The tendency of learned behaviors to gradually revert to biologically predisposed patterns.

Question 5

Cognitive map

Answer 5

A mental representation of the layout of one’s environment. For example, after exploring a maze, rats act as if they have learned a cognitive map of it.

Question 6

Latent learning

Answer 6

Learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it.

• Subconscious retention of information without reinforcement or motivation

Question 7

Observational learning

Answer 7

Learning by observing others.

Question 8

Modeling

Answer 8

The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior.

Question 9

Mirror neurons

Answer 9

Frontal lobe neurons that some scientists believe fire when we perform certain actions or observe another doing so. The brain’s mirroring of another’s action may enable imitation and empathy.

Question 10

Prosocial behavior

Answer 10

Positive, constructive, helpful behavior. The opposite of antisocial behavior.