Biological Limits

biological preparedness

what organisms leans (+ how easily) is influenced by its evolutionary history

species predispositions prepare them to learn the associations that enhance its survival

innate dispositions to form some associations more readily than others

genetically “predisposed”/”prepared” to learn specific fears — the fear may not be automatic, but easily learned

ex, aversions (like taste aversion)

instinctive drift

tendency of leaned behavior to gradually revert to biological predisposed patterns

cognitive maps

mental image/representation used to navigate through a familiar environment

mental representation of environment 

latent learning

learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it

learning that occurs without any reinforcement and without any hint that learning took place

insight learning

problem solving occurs by suddenly perceiving new forms or relationships

social / observational learning

learning by observing others

new responses are acquired after watching others behaviors as well as the consequences of their behavior without having to directly experience consequences ourselves

modeling

process of observing and imitating a specific behavior

watching others behavior

vicarious reinforcement + vicarious punishment

observe consequences of others behavior without having to directly experience said consequences ourselves

leaning to anticipate behaviors consequences in situations that we are observing

mirror neurons

frontal lobe neurons that some scientists believe fire when we perform certain actions or observe another doing so

may enable imitation + empathy

prosocial

positive, constructive helpful behavior

antisocial

negative, destructive, harmful behavior