Learning Mechanisms: A Tutorial Study Guide E-Book

Nicoladie Tam

• Herausgeber: Nicoladie Tam, Ph.D.
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 52

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Beschreibung

“Learning Mechanisms” is a part of the college-level Neuropsychopharmacology course series textbooks. It is a tutorial written in questions and answers format to describe the psychology of learning and the neurobiological basis of learning, and the neural mechanisms behind learning.

It is a study guide with in-depth explanations. Each section is a modular unit that is self-contained for easy reading. The principles and concepts are introduced systematically so students can learn and retain the materials intuitively.

Leseprobe

Learning Mechanisms

A Tutorial Study Guide

Nicoladie Tam, Ph. D.

Copyright © 2015 by Nicoladie Tam, Ph.D.

ISBN 978-1-301-72953-1

All rights reserved, no part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means without prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations in critical review articles.

Authored by: Nicoladie Tam, Ph.D.

Published by: Nicoladie Tam, Ph.D.

First Published: August 20, 2013

Revision Date: June 13, 2015

eBook ISBN: 9781301729531

Book statistics: 11,000 words

Keywords: learning mechanism, adaptation, associative learning, classical conditioning, operant conditioning, reinforcement learning, extinction, associative memory, brain, mental disorder, psychiatric disorder, pharmacotherapy, neuropsychology, neuropharmacology, neuropsychopharmacology, neuroscience, biology, study guide, tutorial

Produced in the United States of America

The printed version of this eBook is also available in PDF format in 40 pages.

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Preface

“Learning Mechanisms” is a part of the college-level Neuropsychopharmacology course series textbooks. It is a tutorial written in questions and answers format to describe the psychology of learning and the neurobiological basis of learning, and the neural mechanisms behind learning.

It is a study guide with in-depth explanations. Each section is a modular unit that is self-contained for easy reading. The principles and concepts are introduced systematically so students can learn and retain the materials intuitively.

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Textbooks by Nicoladie Tam, Ph.D., in the Neuropsychopharmacology course series:

Neuropsychopharmacology textbook in one volume:

Neuropsychopharmacology

ISBN 9781311596178

Individual chapters of Neuropsychopharmacology textbook series:

Neuropsychopharmacology: An Introduction

ISBN 9781301482733

Scientific Methods

ISBN 9781301898688

Mind-Brain Connection

ISBN 9781301903405

Pharmacology: In Introduction

ISBN 9781301843534

Pharmacokinetics

ISBN 9781301010776

Dose-Response Curve

ISBN 9781301541812

Learning Mechanisms

ISBN 9781301729531

Cognitive Learning

ISBN 9781301966455

Experimental Methods in Neuropsychopharmacology

ISBN 9781301966455

Brain Imaging Techniques

ISBN 9781311863638

Nervous System

ISBN 9781301053025

Neuron

ISBN 9781301119646

Action Potential

ISBN 9781301115372

Synapse

ISBN 9781301374120

Reflex

ISBN 9781301991266

Neurotransmitter

ISBN 9781301268610

Neurotransmitter Pathways

ISBN 9781301696666

Cytoplasmic Release of Neurotransmitters

ISBN 9781311978615

Executive Functions

ISBN 9781301125968

ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ISBN 9781301318445

Schizophrenia

ISBN 9781301972692

Affective Disorders: Depression, Mania and Bipolar Disorder

ISBN 9781311988416

Anxiety Disorders

ISBN 9781311060419

Textbooks by Nicoladie Tam, Ph.D., in the Principles of Biology course series:

Principles of Biology textbook in one volume:

Principles of Biology: Animal Systems

ISBN 9781301691739

Individual chapters of the Principles of Biology textbook series:

Biological System

ISBN 9781301003891

Scientific Methods

ISBN 9781301898688

Biological Principles

ISBN 9781310803666

Origin of Species

ISBN 9781301352456

Nervous System

ISBN 9781301053025

Neuron

ISBN 9781301119646

Action Potential

ISBN 9781301115372

Synapse

ISBN 9781301374120

Reflex

ISBN 9781301991266

Neurotransmitter

ISBN 9781301268610

Sensory System

ISBN 9781301660070

Motor System

ISBN 9781301500895

Endocrine System

ISBN 9781301642939

Reproductive System

ISBN 9781301424078

Circulatory System

ISBN 9781301262410

Respiratory System

ISBN 9781301805389

Immune System

ISBN 9781301452309

Renal System

ISBN 9781301927111

Digestive System

ISBN 9781301317097

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Table of Contents

Cover Page

Preface

Learning Mechanisms

Adaptation

Associative Learning

Classical Conditioning

Operant Conditioning

Reinforcement Learning

Extinction

Associative Memory

Learning Mechanisms: Review

About the Author

Other Books Published by the Author

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1.Learning Mechanisms

Objectives

Understand the different biological mechanisms for learning

Understand the relationship between learning and memory

Concepts to Learn

Adaptation

Associative learning

Classical conditioning

Operant conditioning

Extinction

Reinforcment learning

Positive reinforcement

Negative reinforcement

Imitation learning

Associative memory

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1.1.Adaptation

Objectives

Understand the mechanism for producing adaptation

Concepts to Learn

Adaptation of response to stimulus

Sensitization

Habituation and desensitization

Adaptation is the change of response to the same stimulus that is repeated over time. The condition is repetition of the stimulus, and the response is a change in the response size. If the response increases, it is called sensitization. If the response is decreased, it is called habituation or desensitization. Adaptation only requires one stimulus whereas conditioning requires two stimuli to produce. Adaptation is the most basic form of learning that is universal to most animals.

Summary

Adaptation is the simplest form of learning that changes the response size in response to the repetitive stimulation. The response size can increase (sensitize) or decrease (habituate or desensitize) as a result of repeating the stimulus over time.

Q&A

What is adaptation?

Adaptation is a change of response due to repeated stimulation.

In adaptation, there is only one stimulus. The stimulus is repeated many times. With repeated exposure to the stimulus, the response of the animal changes.

In contrast to conditioning or associative learning, it requires two stimuli, whereas adaptation requires only one stimulus.

What is the difference between adaptation and conditioning?

Adaptation requires only one stimulus whereas conditioning requires two stimuli.

Adaptation is the most fundamental form of learning because it only requires repetitive stimulation to establish the adaptation. It is the mere repetition of the stimulus within a short period of time that produces the adaptation.

What is the necessarily condition for adaptation to occur?

The condition is repetitive stimulus over time.

When a stimulus is repeated over and over again, it provides the condition in which adaptation can occurs. Without adaptation, even if the stimulus is repeated many times, the response would be exactly the same. But with adaptation, the response is usually reduced.

What form of learning is the most basic and simplest in evolution?

Adaptation is the most fundamental and simplest form of learning in evolution.

Even though adaptation does not establish any association with any new stimulus, the response does change according to the stimulus of the environment. The change in response provides the animal with the advantage of conserving energy by reducing the response if the same stimulus is repeated over time. The reduction in response may or may not be appropriate as far as the context of the environment is concerned because it is not associating with other stimuli. Nonetheless, it does serve some useful function and provides a convenient strategy to cope by effectively conserve energy.

For instance, gill-withdrawal reflex in the sea slug (Aplasia) can be reduced by repetitive stimulation of the gill, resulting from reducing the gill-withdrawal after awhile. It is because if the stimulus is harmless, it conserves energy not to withdraw the gills. This happens in the natural environment when the sea waves splash into the gills, causing the gill-withdrawal reflex. However, such stimulus is harmless, and withdrawal of the gills does not necessarily protect the animal. On the other hand, if a predator is touching the gills suddenly, then withdrawal would server a useful purpose in protecting the animal.

Why do psychologists not consider adaptation as learning whereas physiologists consider it as basic learning?

It is because the response is automatic in adaptation, psychologists consider it learning as a cognitive process rather than an unconscious process, whereas physiologists consider it as learning because it is the basic mechanism of learning in changing the response.

The reason why psychologists do not usually consider this form of learning as “learning” is that it does not involve any cognitive skills or cognition. It is an automated process.