Sex Learning

Question 1

What two things generate genetic diversity? What hormones play a role in the development of sex organs?

Answer 1

Lecture 7, slide 2

Question 2

How does sexual behaviour interplay with learning? What role does conditioning/learning have in sexual behaviour?

Answer 2

Lecture 7, slide 3

Question 3

What is imprinting? Is sexual interest/preference in animals innate? What can elicit preference?

Answer 3

Lecture 7, slide 4, 6

Question 4

Describe a study that shows the imprinting effect of uniparental rearing in zebra finch.

Answer 4

Lecture 7, slide 11

Question 5

Describe a study that shows that mating preferences/choices in sheep and goats are influenced by maternal experience.

Answer 5

Lecture 7, slide 13

Question 6

Describe a study that shows exposure trains mate choice in Japanese quails.

Answer 6

Lecture 7, slide 14-15

• those exposed to both males and females showed a decreased preference for females.
• males exposed to men only had a greater preference for males.

Question 7

Describe a study that shows that Pavlovian learning produces conditioning of physiological responses for LH and testosterone in male rats conditioned to anticipate sexual activity. What effects does odour have on DA release?

Answer 7

Lecture 7, slide 16-17
-the smell/odour makes the rats anticipate sexual activity (when there is a positive contingency between smell and the presentation of a female rat)

Question 8

Describe a study showing sexual counterconditioning (where a natural aversive response is replaced). What does this have implications for? What is paraphilia?

Answer 8

Lecture 7, slide 20

Question 9

What evidence is there for imprinting affecting human sexual behaviour?

Answer 9

Lecture 7, slide 21

Question 10

Describe a study investigating why sexual fetishes occur. Describe another study that was carried out as a field study. What are the limitations of both studies?

Answer 10

Lecture 7, slide 22-25

• boot study: laboratory data is less effective than real experiences
• t-shirt smell study: only a small sample of heterosexual couples were investigated

Question 11

What are six models of male aberrant sexual behaviour?

Answer 11

Lecture 7, slide 29

Question 12

What methods can be used to study sexual conditioning in humans?

Answer 12

Lecture 7, slide 35

Question 13

What is the difference between predictive learning, goal-directed behaviour and habitual behaviour?

Answer 13

Lecture 7, slide 36