Three elements of synaptic changes in reinforcement

Question 1

Discriminative stimulus actives

Answer 1

a weak synapse with response neuron because before learning it has weak connection with response

Question 2

Circumstances that were present at the time of response (that normally elicit that response)

Answer 2

activate a strong synapse

Question 3

If reinforce follows response

Answer 3

dopamine is released

Question 4

Dopamine activates the response neuron

Answer 4

while the weak synapse of the discriminative stimulus is firing; thus, strengthening the weak synase

Question 5

Study recorded bursts of firing in…., which ha dopamine neurons

Answer 5

CA1 of hippocampus: - recorded baseline activity

• administered dopamine, cocaine or saline contingent or non-contingent on bursts of neuronal firing
• rate of firing increased with contingent administration of dopamine or cocaine but not with saline or non-contingent admin. of any
• for all you behaviorists, this is the neural basis of operant conditioning