6 Questions
What is the main focus of the Opponent Process Theory?
Maintaining homeostasis in response to stimuli
In Opponent Process Theory, what is the role of the B process?
Maintaining homeostasis in anticipation of the unconditioned response
How does the Opponent Process Theory explain the formation of tolerance to a stimulus?
Through repeated pairings of conditioned and unconditioned stimuli
What can disrupt the learned association in Opponent Process Theory?
A change in environment or introduction of novel stimuli
Behavior occurs in response to what?
Eliciting stimuli
What is required for behavior to occur, according to the text?
Repeated presentation of the eliciting stimulus
Study Notes
MAPs and Stimuli
- The same stimulus can have different effects depending on the physiological state of the animal and its recent actions
- Eliciting MAPs (releasing stimulus) activates a MAP, and can be a combination of stimuli
- Supernormal stimulus: an exaggerated sign stimulus that elicits an especially vigorous response
Components of MAPs
- MAPs consist of organized sequences of behaviours
- Appetitive behaviour: early components of sequence, can take various forms, and is affected by learning
- Consummatory behaviour: final components of sequence, highly stereotyped, species-typical behaviours with specific eliciting or releasing stimuli
Changes in Behaviour from Experience
- Responses are never uniform, even with simple reflexes
- Experiences can change behavior, which can be directly experienced or observed
- Repeated stimulation: habituation (decline in responding) and sensitization (increase in responding)
Habituation
- Habituation: decline in responding to a stimulus after repeated exposure
- Examples: startle response, salivation, facial recognition in infants
- Dishabituation: stimulus-specific, affected by attention, and relevant for controlling eating behavior
- Habituation occurs more rapidly with shorter interstimulus intervals, longer stimulus duration, and increased number of presentations
- Habituation is stimulus-specific, and dishabituation can occur when presenting a different stimulus
Sensitization
- Sensitization: increase in responding to a stimulus after repeated exposure
- Arousal intensifies appetitive and aversive experiences
- Increased response occurs to the original and other stimuli
Emotions and Motivated Behaviour
- Emotional reactions change with experience, from primary reaction to after-reaction
- Opponent Process Theory: assumes emotions are related to neurophysiological mechanisms that maintain homeostasis
- Primary process responsible for the quality of the emotional state
- Opponent process generates the opposite emotional reaction and lags behind primary emotional disturbance
Explore the concept of Stimulus Response in animal behavior and how different stimuli can trigger defensive action patterns. Learn about the role of sign stimulus and supernormal stimulus in eliciting responses. Understand the functions and effects of MAPs in various animal species.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
