Psychology Unit 4 Notes
Chapter Five – Learning
Learning – a relatively permanent change in behaviour (or behaviour potential) due to experience.
Behaviours not dependent on learning
Reflex action – a simple, automatic, involuntary response to a specific stimulus that comes directly from the nervous system and is basically the same each time it occurs.
Fixed action pattern (FAP) – the innate predisposition – essentially identical among most members of a species – to behave in a certain way in response to a specific environmental stimulus; also known as species specific behaviour.
Maturation behaviours – innate, age-related behaviours that result from the physical growth and development (maturation) of the body, brain and nervous system at fairly predictable ages in the life cycle.
Maturation – the physical growth and development of the body, brain and nervous system at fairly predictable ages in the life cycle.
Brain areas involved in learning
Hindbrain – learning certain types of motor skills – especially those requiring balance and coordination, such as riding a bicycle.
Midbrain – learning to navigate in space.
Forebrain/ frontal lobe – cognitive learning
Cerebellum – a structure attached to the rear of the brainstem that helps coordinate voluntary movement and balance.
The cerebellum: • Primarily regulates posture, muscle tone and muscular coordination. • Stores memories related to skills and habits.
The limbic system
Limbic system – a number of structures that form a doughnut-shaped neural system between the hindbrain and the cerebral hemispheres.
The first of the limbic system’s key structures is the hippocampus.
Hippocampus – a brain structure buried deep within the brain and extending into the temporal lobes; associated with memory formation and storage.
• Critical to spatial learning and awareness.
• Involved in learning how to navigate through space.
The second of the limbic system’s key features is the amygdala.
Amygdala –
Learning – a relatively permanent change in behaviour (or behaviour potential) due to experience.
Behaviours not dependent on learning
Reflex action – a simple, automatic, involuntary response to a specific stimulus that comes directly from the nervous system and is basically the same each time it occurs.
Fixed action pattern (FAP) – the innate predisposition – essentially identical among most members of a species – to behave in a certain way in response to a specific environmental stimulus; also known as species specific behaviour.
Maturation behaviours – innate, age-related behaviours that result from the physical growth and development (maturation) of the body, brain and nervous system at fairly predictable ages in the life cycle.
Maturation – the physical growth and development of the body, brain and nervous system at fairly predictable ages in the life cycle.
Brain areas involved in learning
Hindbrain – learning certain types of motor skills – especially those requiring balance and coordination, such as riding a bicycle.
Midbrain – learning to navigate in space.
Forebrain/ frontal lobe – cognitive learning
Cerebellum – a structure attached to the rear of the brainstem that helps coordinate voluntary movement and balance.
The cerebellum: • Primarily regulates posture, muscle tone and muscular coordination. • Stores memories related to skills and habits.
The limbic system
Limbic system – a number of structures that form a doughnut-shaped neural system between the hindbrain and the cerebral hemispheres.
The first of the limbic system’s key structures is the hippocampus.
Hippocampus – a brain structure buried deep within the brain and extending into the temporal lobes; associated with memory formation and storage.
• Critical to spatial learning and awareness.
• Involved in learning how to navigate through space.
The second of the limbic system’s key features is the amygdala.
Amygdala –