Psychology Concepts: Learning and Behavior

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of norepinephrine in the body?

It produces effects opposite to those of serotonin.

It regulates mood and aggression.

It controls heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. (correct)

It facilitates the reuptake of neurotransmitters.

What role does dopamine play in behavior according to cognitive science?

It activates other neurotransmitters linked to mood regulation. (correct)

It inhibits reuptake actions in the brain.

It primarily regulates heart rate and respiration.

It produces opposite effects to norepinephrine.

Which statement accurately reflects the conclusion made by Robert Rescorla regarding classical conditioning?

Only the strength of responses matters in classical conditioning.

Pairing two events closely in time is crucial for conditioning.

All learned behaviors are a direct result of paired events.

Cognitive processes play a role beyond just timing in conditioning. (correct)

How do inverse agonists affect neurotransmitters?

They inhibit the effects produced by neurotransmitters. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key focus of cognitive science?

Understanding how we acquire, process, and retrieve information. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common trigger for agoraphobia symptoms?

Crowded places Signup and view all the answers

How is agoraphobia typically diagnosed?

Presence of panic attacks Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of specific phobias?

They cause significant distress or impairment Signup and view all the answers

What common factor can contribute to the onset of panic disorder?

Genetic predisposition Signup and view all the answers

At what age do most individuals typically experience their first panic attack?

Mid-teens to mid-20s Signup and view all the answers

What is a common treatment for panic disorder?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Signup and view all the answers

Which theory suggests that anxiety could stem from classical and operant conditioning?

Two-Factor Theory Signup and view all the answers

How long must symptoms persist to meet criteria for specific phobia?

At least 6 months Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a nocturnal panic attack?

Person cannot identify triggers Signup and view all the answers

What is associated with the fear of blood, injury, or injections in specific phobia?

Probable fainting episodes Signup and view all the answers

What age is 'onset' most common for symptoms of agoraphobia?

17 years Signup and view all the answers

What is a common symptom that distinguishes panic disorder from specific phobias?

Experiencing panic attacks Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a feature of panic attacks?

They peak within minutes Signup and view all the answers

What is operant conditioning primarily concerned with?

Learning behaviors through consequences Signup and view all the answers

In which schedule are behaviors learned most quickly?

Continuous reinforcement schedule Signup and view all the answers

What does modeling refer to in the context of learning?

Learning behaviors by imitating others Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common dysfunctional assumption mentioned?

I must achieve perfection in my accomplishments Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of Gestalt therapy?

To guide clients toward self-recognition and acceptance Signup and view all the answers

What does exposure therapy primarily involve?

Gradually eliminating avoidance behaviors Signup and view all the answers

Which belief is associated with global assumptions in behavior?

Competence is the most important trait for success Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of cognitive attributions in behavior?

They determine how we react to past experiences Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the hypothalamus?

Regulates stress response through HPA axis Signup and view all the answers

What role does the sympathetic nervous system play in the body?

Increases blood flow and heart rate during stress Signup and view all the answers

Damage to the basal ganglia would most likely result in difficulties with which of the following?

Motor control and posture Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures is part of the limbic system?

Cingulate gyrus Signup and view all the answers

What hormone is released from the adrenal glands in response to ACTH?

Cortisol Signup and view all the answers

Which nervous system component is primarily responsible for activating the body in stressful situations?

Sympathetic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

In what way does the parasympathetic nervous system function in contrast to the sympathetic nervous system?

It slows heart rate and promotes digestion Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primarily recognized functions of the cerebral cortex?

Facilitating reasoning and future planning Signup and view all the answers

What does active gene-environment correlation imply?

Parents select environments based on their genetic traits. Signup and view all the answers

Which model suggests both genetic vulnerability and specific stressful conditions are needed for disorder development?

Diathesis stress model Signup and view all the answers

What are synaptic clefts?

The gaps between nerve cells where impulses pass. Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter effect increases the likelihood that a connection between neurons will fire?

Excitatory transmission Signup and view all the answers

What condition must occur alongside genetic predisposition for psychiatric disorders according to Tienari et al. (1994)?

Placement in dysfunctional families Signup and view all the answers

What is epigenetics primarily concerned with?

Environmental factors altering gene expression. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the hindbrain?

Controls autonomic activities like heartbeat and breathing. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes passive gene-environment correlation?

Parents' genetic traits create a conducive environment for children. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to inactive genes in response to environmental stimuli as suggested by Eric Kandel?

They can be activated based on environmental interactions. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes evocative gene-environment correlation?

Children's traits elicit responses from their environment. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Operant Conditioning

Individuals learn behaviors through experiencing consequences of their actions.
Behaviors are learned quickly when consistently paired with a reward or punishment.
Partial reinforcement involves rewards or punishments occurring only sometimes.

Albert Bandura's theory suggests individuals learn by observing others.
This process is known as modeling or observational learning.

Cognitive Factors in Behavior

Thoughts, beliefs, and attributions influence behavior and emotions.
Causal attributions about events shape expectations for future similar events.
Global assumptions about ourselves, other people, and the world influence our behavior.

Gestalt Therapy

Challenges clients' assumptions and promotes self-recognition and self-acceptance.
Emphasizes staying in the present moment during therapy sessions and embracing real emotions.

Gene-Environment Interactions

Eric Kandel proposed genetic structures can change through learning.
Inactive genes can become active when interacting with the environment.
Gene-environment correlation describes the interplay between genes and environment.
- Active correlation: Individuals select environments based on their genetic traits.
- Passive correlation: Genetically influenced traits in parents shape the environment for their offspring.
- Evocative correlation: Genetically influenced traits in individuals evoke responses from their environment.

Diathesis-Stress Model

The model proposes a combination of inherited vulnerabilities and stressful experiences is required for a disorder to develop.
Diathesis refers to a vulnerability or predisposition.
Stressful conditions can trigger the development of a disorder.

Epigenetics

Epigenetics studies factors beyond DNA sequence that alter gene expression.
Learning and stress are examples of factors that can modify phenotypic expression.

Neuroscience and Psychopathology

The central nervous system processes sensory information and reacts accordingly.
The limbic system is crucial for emotions and memory.
- The hippocampus plays a role in learning and memory.
- The amygdala processes emotions, particularly fear and anxiety.
The forebrain is responsible for complex cognitive functions.
- The cerebral cortex enables planning, reasoning, and creativity.
The hindbrain regulates autonomic functions, including breathing and heart rate.

Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are chemicals released by neurons to transmit signals.
The synaptic cleft is the space between neurons where neurotransmitters travel.
Excitatory neurotransmitters activate neurons, increasing the likelihood of firing.
Inhibitory neurotransmitters inhibit neuron activity, reducing the likelihood of firing.

Important Neurotransmitters in Psychopathology

Dopamine is associated with pleasure, motivation, and movement. Its dysfunction is linked to schizophrenia.
Norepinephrine regulates alertness, arousal, and mood.
Serotonin influences mood, sleep, and appetite.

Behavioral and Cognitive Science

Cognitive science examines how we acquire, process, and retrieve information.
Robert Rescorla demonstrated that classical conditioning involves more than just pairing two events in time.
Cognitive processes influence the learning process.

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia involves a persistent fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable.
Common situations include public transportation, open spaces, enclosed spaces, crowds, and being outside home alone.
Symptoms include intense fear, anxiety, and avoidance behaviors.
Agoraphobia can develop as a complication of unexpected panic attacks.

Panic Disorder (PD)

Characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks.
Panic attacks are abrupt surges of intense fear or discomfort peaking within minutes.
Symptoms include physical sensations like heart racing, shortness of breath, sweating, trembling, and dizziness.
Causes: generalized biological vulnerability, genetic predisposition, generalized psychological vulnerability, negative thoughts about bodily sensations, specific psychological vulnerabilities.
Treatment: medication, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), gradual exposure exercises, panic control treatment.

Nocturnal Panic Attacks

Occur during sleep, primarily in the delta wave stage.
May involve physical sensations of "letting go" or "falling" and a surge of terror.
Isolated Sleep Paralysis is a state of immobility and terror accompanying sleep.

Specific Phobia

An intense fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation.
The phobic object or situation almost always provokes immediate fear or anxiety.
Avoidance behaviors are common.
Fear is out of proportion to the actual danger posed by the object or situation.
Causes: direct exposure, false alarm, vicarious learning, informational transmission.

Types of Specific Phobias

Animal phobia: involves fear of specific animals or insects.
Natural environment phobia: includes fear of heights, storms, and water.
Blood-injection-injury phobia: characterized by a strong vasovagal response to blood, injury, or injections.
Situational phobia: involves fear of specific situations, like enclosed spaces or public transportation.
Other phobias: any other specific phobias not classified above.

Blood-Injection-Injury Phobia

Marked by an unreasonable fear and avoidance of blood, injury, or injections.
Individuals may experience fainting and a drop in blood pressure.
Often has a strong familial component.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore key psychological concepts such as operant conditioning, social learning theory, cognitive factors in behavior, and gestalt therapy. This quiz examines how behaviors are learned and influenced by both environmental and cognitive factors. Test your understanding of these foundational theories in psychology!