Chapter 2 pt 1: MAPs and Single-Stimulus learning

Elicited Behavior

• a behavior that occurs in response to a specific environmental stimulus

• Ex. A stimulus that precedes a behavior and causes a response

The reflex

• the simplest form of elicited behavior

• Involves 2 events: an eliciting stimulus and a linked response

• Ex. Air puff into eye → blink…..loud noise → startle

Simple reflex arc

Reflexes are governed by the connections in the nervous system

Modal action patterns

Reflexive response sequences that are typical of a particular species

a complex, highly conserved pattern of behaviors that are shared between all members of a species. These behaviors are innate, meaning they can be performed instinctually and without having been previously learned.

Also called species-typical behaviors

Ex. Stroke a baby’s cheek → turns head

Sign stimulus

The few essentials features that must be present to elicit a reflex or modal action pattern

Also called releasing stimulus

What is the minimal amount needed to trigger stimulus?

Supernormal stimulus

A sign stimulus with exaggerated features to elicit a vigorous reflexive response

Ex. People with a lot of paint on bodies wants to grab peoples attention

Does an elicited response, particularly a simple reflexive response, automatically occur the same way each time a eliciting stimulus is presented?

NO!!!!

Behavior is not invariant and can be modified…Habituation and Senitization

Habituation

A decrease in response magnitude with each successive stimulus presentation

Getting used to stimulus being present

Sensitization

An increase or high level of response magnitude is maintained with each successive stimulus presentation

The magnitude of the response increases or reminds high with each successive stimulus presentation

Dishabituation

Release from habituated responding after a distracting stimulus

Opponent Process Theory

• Solomon and Corbit

• Wanted to explain why our emotional responses change over time, even though the eliciting stimulus remains constant

• The more we face our fear, the less we are afraid

Standard patten of affective dynamics

A theory designed to explain how our emotional reactions change with experience

• Ex. First time skydiving: feel intense fear during jump, then relief/euphoria after landing

Dual process theory

• groves and Thompson

• Habituation and senitization occur in separate neural systems

• Habituation occurs in the neural pathway

Sensory adaptation

Ex. Eyes becoming more sensation to the light after being in the dark

Ex. Ears adapt to loud noise at a concert

Spontaneous recovery, dishabituation, and habituation in stimulus specific

3 things that show us it is not adaptation or motor fatigue, but it is our brain learning

A process

Stays the same, only changes with stimulus intensity

B process

Changes with experience, gets larger, which means the B process is the learning component

Dual process two systems

Habituation and state systems

Habituation system

Occurs in the neural pathway

Ex. The more you hear the loud noise, the less neurotransmitter are received to make you startle

State system

Overall level of arousal