module 22 biology, cognition, and learning

Question 1

learning

Answer 1

the process of acquiring through experience new and relatively enduring information or behaviors. (pp. 227, 235, 245)

Question 2

preparedness

Answer 2

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

Question 3

instinctive drift

Answer 3

the tendency of learned behavior to gradually revert to biologically predisposed patterns.

Question 4

cognitive map

Answer 4

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 5

latent learning

Answer 5

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

Question 6

observational learning

Answer 6

learning by observing others. (Also called social learning.)

Question 7

mirror neurons

Answer 7

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 8

prosocial behavior

Answer 8

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

Question 9

modeling

Answer 9

the process of observing and imitating a specific behavior.