Biological Constraints in Conditioning

Questions and Answers

How do biological constraints affect classical and operant conditioning?

Biological constraints affect classical and operant conditioning by making some associations easier to learn than others, as learning is adaptive to aid survival.

How do cognitive processes affect classical and operant conditioning?

Cognitive processes can affect classical conditioning by allowing animals to learn when to expect a US, and in operant conditioning, cognitive mapping and latent learning demonstrate their importance.

How does observational learning differ from associative learning?

Observational learning involves anticipating a behavior's consequences through vicarious reinforcement or punishment, while associative learning focuses on learning associations between events.

What is the impact of prosocial modeling and antisocial modeling?

Children tend to imitate behaviors of their models, whether those behaviors are prosocial or antisocial. Signup and view all the answers

What is a cognitive map?

A cognitive map is a mental representation of the layout of one's environment. Signup and view all the answers

What is latent learning?

Latent learning is learning that occurs but is not immediately apparent until there is a reason to demonstrate it. Signup and view all the answers

What is intrinsic motivation?

Intrinsic motivation is the desire to perform a behavior for its own sake. Signup and view all the answers

What is extrinsic motivation?

Extrinsic motivation is the desire to perform a behavior to receive rewards or avoid punishment. Signup and view all the answers

What is observational learning?

Observational learning is learning that occurs by observing others. Signup and view all the answers

What is modeling?

Modeling is the process of observing and imitating a specific behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What are mirror neurons?

Mirror neurons are frontal lobe neurons that fire when performing certain actions or when observing another doing so. Signup and view all the answers

What is prosocial behavior?

Prosocial behavior is positive, constructive, and helpful behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biological Constraints in Conditioning

Biological predispositions influence the ease of learning associations in classical conditioning, favoring adaptive behaviors for survival.
Operant conditioning is also limited by biological constraints, leading to animals reverting to innate patterns if training contradicts these instincts.

Cognitive Processes in Conditioning

Animals may learn to anticipate unconditioned stimuli (US) in classical conditioning, understanding the connection between stimuli and responses.
Cognitive mapping and latent learning illustrate the role of cognitive processes in operant conditioning.
Excessive external rewards can diminish intrinsic motivation, creating a conflict between extrinsic and intrinsic drivers.

Observational Learning vs. Associative Learning

Observational learning involves learning consequences of behavior through vicarious reinforcement or punishment, unlike associative learning, which is simply about linking events.
The brain's frontal lobes can mirror others' actions, with mirror neurons potentially facilitating this mirroring, allowing for imitation of behaviors like pain responses or speech.

Impact of Modeling

Children imitate behaviors from models, whether prosocial (helpful and constructive) or antisocial.
Inconsistencies between a model's actions and words may lead children to adopt hypocritical behaviors.

Key Concepts

Cognitive Map: A mental representation used to navigate and understand the environment, exemplified by rats navigating a maze.
Latent Learning: Knowledge gained without immediate evidence until an incentive arises.
Intrinsic Motivation: Engaging in behavior for personal satisfaction instead of for external rewards.
Extrinsic Motivation: Performing a behavior to earn rewards or avoid punishment.
Observational Learning: Acquiring behaviors and knowledge by watching others.
Modeling: A method of learning by observing and imitating specific behaviors.
Mirror Neurons: Neurons in the frontal lobe that activate during action performance or observation, facilitating imitation and empathy.
Prosocial Behavior: Positive and constructive actions that can benefit others, standing in contrast to antisocial behavior.

Description

Explore how biological constraints influence classical and operant conditioning. This quiz will delve into the principles of learning behaviors that are adaptive for survival and the limitations imposed by innate predispositions. Understand the key concepts that highlight the intersection of biology and learning.