Animal Learning

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Animal Learning
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Learning
Definition A relatively specific and
enduring change in a potential behaviour brought
about by past experience -learning verses
performance -experience required -internal
processes
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Learning
Why Study Animal Learning? 1) precise
control 2) start simple 3) use potent stimuli
4) model behavioural dysfunctions 5) avoid
subjective data 6) interest in its own right
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Learning
Types of Questions? 1) Can it be
learned? 2) What conditions encourage/hinder
learning? 3) What is the underlying mechanism?
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Delayed Choice
Rats 10-s Racoon 25-s Dog 5-min Human 1-year
24-s 2-year 50-s 6-year 20-min
Choice Location 1 Location 2 Location 3
Cue Location 2
Hunter (1913)
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(No Transcript)
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Delay of Reinforcement
Grice (1948)
Delay
Choice
Goal
Start
Reward or No Reward
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Grice (1948) Results
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Reasoning Through Insight
Kohler (1914)
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Forms of Learning
Evidence 1) Dissociations H.M. Uncons
cious Sequence Learning 2) Simultaneous
Contradictory Belief Linda Problem Visual
Illusions
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H.M.
Back
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Sequence learning

• Nissen Bullemer (1987)
• Serial Reaction Time

A
B
C
D
Experimental Group fixed sequence of
locations D B C A C B D C B A -
circular sequence, 10 times per block

Control Group random sequence of locations
Back
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Violated Sequence
Subjects are sensitive to the presence of the
sequence even when they deny knowing that there
was a sequence
Back
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Linda Problem
Linda is 31 years old, single, outspoken, and
very bright. She majored in philosophy. As a
student, she was deeply concerned with issues of
discrimination and social justice, and also
participated in anti-nuclear demonstrations. Whic
h of the following is more probable? (1) Linda
is a bank teller. (2) Linda is a bank teller
and is active in the feminist movement.
Back
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Müller-Lyer Illusion
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Forms of Learning Classification
Man as machine
René Descartes (1594-1660)
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Descartes Dualism
Human versus Animal
Involuntary
Stimulus
Action
Voluntary
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A Modern Conception
Nonassociative
Explicit
Implicit
Conditioning
Semantic
Episodic
Skills
Classical
Instrumental
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Nonassociative Learning and Elicited Behaviour

• An eliciting/unconditioned stimulus elicits a
  response without any prior learning
• Types of Elicited Behavior
• Simple Reflex
• Orienting Reflex
• Taxis (taxes)
• Kinesis (kineses)
• Fixed/Modal Action Patterns

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FAPs/MAPs

• Sequence of behaviors directed at the eliciting
  (sign or releasing) stimulus
• Sometimes requires underlying drive (hydraulic
  model)
• Vigor of response depends on how closely the sign
  stimulus corresponds to the ideal stimulus (e.g.,
  cute baby)
• Head large in proportion to the body, protruding
  forehead, large ears and eyes below the midline
  of the head, small nose, short thick extremities,
  rounded body shape, soft elastic body surfaces,
  round protruding cheeks

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Supernormal stimulus
An accurate 3-dimensional model of a herring
gull's head (a), and a 'supernormal' bill (b).
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Supernormal stimulus
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Supernormal stimuli?
v.
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Nonassociative Learning
Habituation Decrement of response to repeated
benign stimulus Sensitization Increase in
responsiveness after noxious stimulus
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Habituation and Sensitization
Eric Kandel and Aplysia
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Kandels Experiments
Touch Siphon
Gill Withdrawal
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Short-term Habituation
Sensory Neuron
Motor Neuron
Less Neurotransmitter Liberated
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Short Term Habituation
Requires change in the presynaptic neurons
message
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Short-term Sensitization
Sensory Neuron
Motor Neuron
Interneuron
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Dual Process Theory
Competition between two separate processes
1. S-R System Habituation
2. State System Sensitization
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Examples
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Long Term Sensitization and Habituation
Requires Protein Synthesis
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Conditions Favouring Habituation Over
Sensitization

• Less Aroused Organism
• Shorter Interstimulus Interval
• Low Intensity
• Less Complexity
• More Trials

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Arousal
Long-term sensitization with high arousal
Response after arousal diminished after 1 hour
Response when aroused (tailshock)
Normal duration of response after gentle touch
of the siphon
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Arousal
Fear Potentiated Startle
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Human Startle
Back
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Interstimulus interval
Back
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Complexity
Looking Time
Trials
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Some Properties of Habituated Responses

• Specificity/Generalization
• Dishabituation
• Spontaneous Recovery

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Example of Specificity
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Generalization
Back
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Disinhibition and Spontaneous Recovery
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Dishabituation