Limits of learning Flashcards
What makes some behaviour impossible to learn?
Anatomical structure
What is passed on from one generation to the next?
reflexes and fixed action patterns
What is the main value of learning?
It enables us to adapt to changes in our environment
What is inherited?
Learning ability
How can the environment limit learning ability?
- alcohol and drug exposure in the womb
- neurotoxins
- head injury
- disease and malnutrition
What is a critical period?
A point in their lives when organisms are especially likely to learn a particular behaviour, they place severe limits on learning
What are examples of critical periods?
- imprinting
- social behaviour
- maternal behaviour
- social skills (monkeys)
What critical periods may exist for humans?
- learning to care about others in early childhood
- first 12 years, learning language
What is instinctive drift?
The tendency for animals to revert to a fixed action pattern
What is sign tracking?
When animals try to speed up a reinforcement by following or pecking the stimulus
What is the continuum of preparedness?
How an organism comes to a learning situation genetically prepared to learn, unprepared or contraprepared
What is another indicator of preparedness?
Durability of learning
What are some things that people are more prepared to learn?
- phobias
- language
What is another indicator of preparedness?
Durability of learning
What are some things that people are more prepared to learn?
- phobias
- language
