6.2 Learning

The Cane Toad: An Australian Pest

• The cane toad is regarded as one of the most prolific and unattractive pests in Australia.

• Imported from South America to Queensland to control the cane beetle population.

• The outcome has been the cane toad becoming a larger nuisance compared to the beetle it was meant to eradicate.

• Currently spreading into other Australian states; has entered Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory.

• A key factor for the cane toad's successful spread is its poison glands on its back.

Impact of Toxin on Predators

• In its native environment, some snakes can tolerate the cane toad's toxin, helping to control its spread.

• In Australia, the native predator species are unable to withstand the toxin, leading to uncontrollable cane toad populations.

• Crows are adapting and learning to avoid the poison glands of cane toads by flipping them over to eat their toxin-free underbelly.

• This behavior illustrates the power of learning for adaptation.

The Role of Learning in Adaptation

• Learning is essential for adapting to environments, similar to how humans acquire knowledge to identify safe versus dangerous food or friends versus foes.

• The module will explore different learning paradigms, specifically: classical conditioning and operant conditioning.

Learning Paradigms

Classical Conditioning

• Examining the concept of classical conditioning and its relation to the development of phobias.

Operant Conditioning

• Focus on the principles of operant conditioning which involve how behaviors can elicit responses from the environment.

• Key components include:

  • Positive Reinforcement

    • Stimulus added; behavior reinforced.

    • Example: Receiving a raise for good performance increases motivation for continued performance.

  • Positive Punishment

    • Stimulus added; behavior decreased or punished.

    • Example: Yelling at a teenager for stealing leads to a decrease in stealing behavior.

  • Negative Reinforcement

    • Stimulus removed; behavior increased.

    • Example: Applying ointment for an itchy rash reinforces the future use of that ointment when uncomfortable.

  • Negative Punishment

    • Stimulus removed; behavior decreased.

    • Example: Limiting car use for a teenager who breaks curfew to discourage future curfew violations.

Questions for Exploration in Operant Conditioning

1. Should smacking be banned?

2. Does exposure to media violence increase aggression?