the limitations of learning. limits physical characteristics non-heritability heredity of learning...
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Chapter 12The Limitations of Learning
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LimitsPhysical CharacteristicsNon-heritability
Heredity of learning abilityNeurological DamageCritical PeriodsPreparedness
Instinctual DriftBiological PreparednessSign Tracking
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Physical CharacteristicsPhysiological structure of the speciesLimitations on behaviours
e.g. teaching chimps to talk vs. teaching sign language
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Nonheritability of Learned BehaviourLearned behaviours are not inheritedLamarckian evolution: passing acquired
characteristics to offspringShort neck giraffe needs to stretch to reach
foodNeck gets longerPasses on long neck to offspring
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McDougall’s ratsTrained rats to run on avoidance taskTrained those rats offspring on avoidance
taskTrained those rats offspring on avoidance
task, etc.Each generation should learn faster (inherit
skill of parents, and ancestors)
BUT, no control group…
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Agar (1954)Replicated McDougall’s design, but added a
control groupControl: every second generation was
untrainedFound same pattern of results with control
groupi.e. successive generation also learned faster
than previous generationsBut also many fluctuations within both groups
Suggests that training of parents has no effect on offspring
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Non-inheritanceInheritance of learning could limit
adaptabilityAdvances/changes in ways of thinking
e.g. sun revolves around the earth?Traditional male/female roles?
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Heredity and Learning AbilityDon’t inherit learned behaviours BUT…Genetic influences on ability to learnTryon (1940): rats learn maze, breed
“smartest” together and “dumbest” together for 18 generations‘Smart’ rats had ‘smart’ rat pupsNot inheriting a learned behaviour, but ability
to learn quicklyIdentical twins reared apartNature and nurture
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Neurological DamageNeurotoxinsPrenatal damage to CNS (e.g., fetal alcohol
syndrome, crack cocaine)Envrionmental toxins (e.g., lead)Physical damage (e.g., concussions)
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Critical PeriodsStage for
optimum learning
Puppy dogsKonrad Lorenz
& Imprinting
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Harlow & HarlowMonkeys & terry cloth
mothers“Pit of despair”Critical period for
development of social skills
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Preparedness & LearningSeligman’s ‘Continuum of Preparedness
PreparedUnpreparedContraprepare
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AutoshapingPigeons peck at key light CS even though
unnecessary for arrival of US (food)‘Prepared’ for learning to peck key-lightautoshaping
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Instinctive DriftBreland & Breland
(1961)“miserly” raccoonContrapreparedInnate tendencies
(GBTs, FAPs) interfere with learning
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Biological PreparednessRemember ‘bright-noisy water’?Prepared for ‘flavour’ taste aversion,
unprepared for ‘noise’ taste aversion
Pre-cond Post-cond Pre-cond Post-cond
X-ray Shock
Flavoured water “Bright-noisy” water
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Learning & EvolutionLike evolution, learning has no specific goalNot all learning is good
Learned helplessnessVicarious learning of aggressionDrug conditioning