1 - Learning to Change Flashcards
Charles Darwin
-Species adapt to changes in their world
-Significant variation among members of species
Advantages variations
more likely to survive and pass those traits to offspring through reproduction
4 Main Process
-Genetic Variation
-Overproduction of offspring
-Struggle for existence
-Differential survival and reproduction
Mutations
abrupt changes in genes
Other than mutations, what other process could increase variation in species?
Sexual reproduction
Reflex
-a relationship
-most reflexes are found in almost all species members and are adaptive in nature
What does it mean to say reflexes are stereotypic?
Reflexes are innate stereotype (pre-programmed) responses to specific stimuli/environmental/positional changes
Sensitization
an increase in the intensity of the reflex/stimulation
Habituation
a reduction in the intensity of probability of a reflex response as a result of repeatedly evoking the response
Eric Kandel
the way our neurotransmitters are released are effected by sensitization and habituation
Modal Action Patterns (MAP)
a series of interrelated acts found in all or nearly all members of a species
Functions of MAPS
-Helps us survive or reproduce
-Protection
-Triggered by release (signs, chemical, etcs.)
General Behavioral Traits
-There exists a considerable range in human behavior (activity level, anxiety, aggression)
-Tendency to act one end of the spectrum on such traits is influenced by genetic makeup
Limits of Natural Selection
-Species-focused
-Slow process
-Can be “behind the times”
Learning
a change in behavior due to experience
