Unit 4: Brain, Behaviour
& Experience
THROUGHOUT OUR LIVES WE CONTINUE TO LEARN – ALL
THE ACTIONS WE TAKE, ALL THE FEELINGS WE HAVE AND
ALL THE THOUGHTS WE PROCESS CONTRIBUTE TO THE
TOTALITY OF WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE ARE CAPABLE
OF DOING.
RECENT RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THE BRAIN IS ABLE
TO CONTINUE TO CHANGE AND DEVELOP THROUGHOUT
OUR LIVES – CONTRADICTING THE EARLIER SCIENTIFIC
BELIEF THAT SUCH CHANGES WERE POSSIBLE ONLY UNTIL
EARLY ADULTHOOD.
Introduction to Unit 4 Psych
• In this unit we examine how we learn through
experience, as the biochemistry of the body and brain
and the psychological processes of thought and feeling
enable these ongoing changes.
• Mental health and well-being are amongst the prime
goals for society and for any individual. Major
initiatives from those involved in the Mental Health
industry (Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Nurses etc) aim,
as a first choice, to promote mental well-being or,
where this is not possible, to understand, diagnose and
treat people with mental illness.
Unit 4 - AOS 1
LEARNING
• LEARNING REFERS TO A LASTING CHANGE IN BEHAVIOUR OR KNOWLEDGE
THAT OCCURS AS A RESULT OF EXPERIENCE
• The most rapid rate of learning certainly occurs at the beginning of life, but
throughout our lives we learn to act, to respond, to think, to talk and to do.
• It is an ongoing process throughout the lifespan, to adapt in an everchanging world.
Learned Behavior:
• Can occur intentionally or unintentionally
• It can be active or passive
• Learning can refer to a change in behavior that is immediate or delayed:
ie…The potential to behave in a particular way as well as observed action that
takes place – we can know skills, techniques, information, but don’t use it
>>Outcome>>
• On completion of this unit, the student should
be able to explain the neural basis of learning,
and compare and contrast different theories of
learning and their applications.
(VCE Study Design 2009)
Key knowledge: Behaviours not dependent
on learning: Pre-programmed Behaviour
• Behaviours not dependent on learning including reflex
action, fixed action patterns and behaviours due to physical
growth and development (maturation).
(VCE Study Design 2009)
Not all behaviours need to be learnt: some are inborn reflexes
or complex responses to signals from the environment.
Reflex Actions
• Reflex actions are automatic, involuntary
responses that do not require prior
experience.
• Reflexes are adaptive for survival, meaning
that we would be in danger if we did not have
these built in mechanisms to help protect us
from environmental hazards.
• Newborn babies have many unlearnt reflex
actions necessary for survival.
•
Little Cam: Example of Infant
Reflexes: 4 mins
•
http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=rjnQhno3LA4&feature=relate
d
Examples you experience
• Review: Reflex actions are
involuntary/automatic responses, which do
not require prior experience. They occur in
response to an environmental cue to deal with
specific stimuli that are important for their
survival.
• Withdrawing your hand form a hot objects,
blinking when smoke enters your eyes,
sneezing, vomiting.
Fixed Action Patterns
•
•
•
•
A fixed action pattern is an inborn
Predisposition to behave in a certain way
when appropriately stimulated by
environmental stimuli.
The term is used to describe behaviour that
is inherited by every individual member of a
species.
This type of behaviour is also referred to as
instinctive behaviour or species specific
behaviour.
Facial expressions in humans are thought to
be a fixed action pattern.
Eg. Python: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwskAXxbvDk
• It is distinguished from reflex
action patterns because the
behaviours are not simple.
Instead, they are complex
behaviours that are unique to
a particular species of animal.
•
Eg. The funnel web spider relies on
inherited behaviour to create its
species specific and unique tubular
web.
Working out if a behaviour is a reflex
or a fixed action pattern
• It is a fixed action pattern if the following are
present:
1. All members of the species demonstrate the
behaviour
2. Behaviour is similar when executed
3. When the organism reaches the right level of
maturation, it will produce the behaviour
without being learnt
4. The behaviour is difficult to change.
5. The behaviour is complex
Behaviour Dependent on Maturation
• Some behaviours require the development of the body and the
structures of the nervous system.
ie… While innate, the behaviour will not be expressed until the
nervous system reaches the appropriate level of maturity.
• The behaviour cannot be expressed before this time – no matter
how much practice is offered.
• For example, most children will begin walking around 10–14
months and it is impossible to make any child walk until he or she is
physically ready.
• Similarly, fledgling birds are unable to fly until their wings and flightfeathers have reached the required level of maturity.
• In adolescent male humans, Puberty (voice change)
• In adolescent female humans, Puberty (menarche)
Next time in Psych 4
Mechanisms of Learning