Module 29: Biology, Cognition, and Learning

Explain how biological constraints affect classical and operant conditioning.
Explain how cognitive processes affect classical and operant conditioning.
Identify the two ways that people learn to cope with personal problems.
Describe how a perceived lack of control can affect people’s behavior and health.

Learning is influenced by biological, psychological, and social-cultural factors.
Conditioning principles provide insights, but do not encompass all aspects of learning.

Basic Concept: Biological limitations exist that affect both classical and operant conditioning.
Historical Perspective: Early behaviorists like Pavlov and Watson believed all associations could be equally learned across species.
- This was challenged by researchers like Gregory Kimble who acknowledged biological constraints.

Significant findings in conditioning show innate limitations based on species-specific biology.
- Example: Rats can develop strong taste aversions, demonstrating that not all stimuli can be conditioned equally.
Study by John Garcia: Demonstrated that rats avoid flavors associated with illness even after a significant delay between stimulus and response.
- Illustrates 'taste aversion'—a strong biological preparedness to associate certain tastes with sickness.

Cognitive processes play an important role in classical conditioning, contradicting early behaviorist views.
Predictability of Events: Animals and humans learn to expect certain outcomes, impacting their conditioning experience.
Study by Rescorla and Wagner demonstrates that predictability enhances conditioned responses.

Problem-Focused Coping: Taking direct action to alleviate stressors; used when individuals feel they can exert control.
- Example: Confronting a family member about an issue.
Emotion-Focused Coping: Used when individuals feel powerless over the stressor; focuses on emotional support and stress relief.
- Example: Seeking comfort from friends for emotional support.

Experiments by Seligman showed that lack of control leads to a state of passive resignation, termed 'learned helplessness.'
Impacts of learned helplessness include increased stress and vulnerability to health issues.

Perceived Control: Lack of perceived control correlates with negative health outcomes.
Studies indicate that individuals with perceived control (even in small choices) tend to have better health and resilience against stressors.

Internal Locus of Control: The belief that one controls their own fate.
External Locus of Control: The belief that external forces dictate fate.
Research shows that individuals with an internal locus of control tend to perform better academically and have better emotional health.

Learning is shaped by complex interactions of biological constraints and cognitive processes.
Having a sense of control is crucial for effective coping and overall well-being.