Unit 1: introduction to the psychology of learning Flashcards
Why should we understand behaviour?
our quality of life depends on the actions of ourselves and others
What does behaviour result from?
complex interaction between genetics and environment
How is evidence of learning achieved?
observing a change in behaviour
Is behaviour only determined by learning?
no, there are other factors influencing our performance
Which are the aspects that most definitions of learning include?
enduring change in mechanisms of behaviour
involving specific stimuli/ responses
result from prior experience with similar stimuli
What must any systematic effort to understand behaviour consider and why?
what we learn
why we learn it
-> many aspects of behaviour are results of learning
What is the main purpose of learning?
adaptation to the environment
-> physiological processes don’t take care of all adaptive functions, and even those that do can be improved
-> need to learn to find new food sources
What does the integrity of life depend on?
successfully achieving number of biological functions
Why do birds have to be able to recognise their children?
offer care for children
enhances ability to care for own offspring
What is included in learning?
acquisition of new behaviour
decrease or loss of previously common response
Does all learning require specialised training?
no, we can also learn without an expert teaching us
-> interaction with social and physical environment
How do animals normally learn?
trial and error
Phobia
learnt fear response to objects/ situations
Learning in drug abuse
difficulty resisting automatically triggered impulses to use substance
-> learnt associating of drug + positive effect
Is accumulating knowledge and making connections with previous information also learning?
yes
What is the difference between performance and learning?
performance: action at a particular moment, can be measured and observed
learning: change in mechanisms of behaviour, making connections with previous information
Why are changes in behaviour due to fatigue not associated with learning?
too short-lived
behaviour returns to normal after resting
Why are changes in behaviour due to maturation not associated with learning?
child being able to reach food on shelf due to growth isnt learnt
Related to biology, which other concepts are not related to learning?
physiology and motivational states
administration of some drugs
Hormonal states
Where do theoretical approaches to the study of learning have their roots and why?
the philosophy of descartes
before him
-> behaviour voluntary, determined by free will and not automatic
What did Descartes claim and which concept did he come up with to combine free will and automatic reactions?
many things are automatic reactions to external stimuli
Dualisitc view: cartesian dualism
What are reflexes?
automatic and involuntary responses to external stimuli
mediated by NS without conscious effort
How do reflexes work? (from beginning to end)
Stimulus that triggers reflex response
-> sensory receptor detects stimulus and changes inf to electrical signal
-> Afferent nerve: signal from receptor to CNS
-> Integration centre: Brain or spinal cord processes inf and determines response
-> efferent nerve: signals from CNS to effector organs to produce response
What is a reflex arc and what does it consist of?
basic mechanism underlying most reflexes
components:
Stimulus
Sense organ
Brain/Spinal cord
Muscles
Behaviour (involuntary)
