Chapter 7 Study Questions

Apuntes

Chapter 7 Study Questions 7.1 Learning allows animals to adapt to their environment What is learning? – Permanent change in behavior as result of experience – Learning results in adaptive changes in behavior → enhanced fitness When will learning not evolve? – Fixed world → environmental constancy; learning not needed – Dynamic (unpredictable) world → learning is not beneficial; unpredictable changes in the environment When does learning evolve? – Real world = intermediate; learning is adaptive and expected to evolve What two factors affect the evolution of learning? – Environmental stability – Past experience What is habituation? – Reduction/lack of response to stimulus over time – Simplest form of learning; needed to filter stimuli What is an environmental stimulus? – Anything in the environment (abiotic or biotic) that an individual can perceive What is a response? – Reaction to stimulus Chapter 7 Study Questions 7.2 Learning is associated with neurological changes What neurological changes are associated with learning? – Change in neurotransmitters – Number of synapses How do scientists study learning at the neurological level? – Characterize synapses before and after learning ...