Psychology 1000 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Cognitive Map, Applied Behavior Analysis, Latent Learning

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 1000
• Professor: Dr.Mike

Document Summary

Learning process by which experience produces a relatively enduring change in an organism"s behavior or capabilities. Behaviorists focus on how organisms learn, examining the processes by which the experience influences behavior. Species adaptation behavior is influenced by immediate environment and by capabilities that have been acquired through experience. Ethology focuses on the functions of behavior genetically based features that enhance a species" ability to adapt to the environment are more likely to be passed on to future generations. Adaptive significance how behavior influences an organism"s chances for survival. Sensitization unlearned response automatically triggered by a particular stimulus. Environment shapes behavior in two fundamental ways: decrease in strength of response to repeated stimulus. Allows organisms to conserve energy by not responding to every stimulus in environment. Occurs within central nervous system, not within sensory neurons (like sensory adaptation) Increase in the strength of response to a repeated stimulus. Purpose: to increase responses to a potentially dangerous stimulu.