W4

Question 1

what is learning (in psychobiology terms)?

Answer 1

the aquisitoion of behavioural information so that it can be expressed adaptively in guiding future behaviour

Question 2

What is the Rescorla-Wagner theory for learning

Answer 2

the amount learned is proportional to the amount of suprise at the outcome

Question 3

what is the equation for R-W rule of learning

Answer 3

∆V=αβ(λ - V)

∆V = change is volume of learning (what learnt)
α (predictive stimulus) β(outcome stimulus) = learning rate parameters - speed we learn about outcome
V = what we already know
λ = max that can be learnt
Diff is prediction error

describes shape of learning curve

Question 4

what does it mean by pavlovian ‘blocking’? and how is it evidence for R-W Rule

Answer 4

• if an outcome is fully predicted = no learning = (prediction error = 0)
• blocking comes from when there are 2 stimilus:

1. stimulus X (could be human/animal) learns outcome to 100% of their ability - association
2. X then presented with new stimulus Y and XY associated with the outcome
3. everytime Y is presented outcome occurs = Y is predictive of the outcome - everytime Y is presented X is present so outcome is delivered - prediction error = 0 = no learning about X or Y
4. therefore presence of X blocks the learning of Y eg nut allergy example

Question 5

What happens in the brain which allows for memory consolidation?

Answer 5

mechanism calle de novo protein synthesis - synthesis of new proteins eg Arc - important for consolidation as it only affects LTM

Question 6

what is another important mechanism for memory consolidation

Answer 6

NMDA receptors - by blocking them you get rid of LTM and impair STM therefore prevents learning

Question 7

why consolidate?

Answer 7

• mechanisms are very energy intensive
• donr want to waste time learning unwanted info
• theres a memory categorisation process which may only be achieved through slow consolidation process
• Mechanisms for memory – just because we have these biological mechanisms and processes does not mean that they were designed for that - Memories consolidate just because they do