Behaviour

Objectives Explain, with reference to their biological significance, what is meant by innate behaviour, instinct and reflex action. Describe one example of a reflex action. Explain that some behaviour can be interpreted in terms of stereotyped, automatic responses, and that these can be modified by environmental stimuli. Outline the methods and conclusions of the classic experiments to investigate the nature of learned behaviour, with reference to the work of Pavlov on conditioning, the work of Skinner on operant conditioning and the work of Kohler on intelligent behaviour in chimpanzees.

Innate behaviour (Instinct) A pattern of inherited, pre-set behaviour that does not require learning or practice. Some behaviour patterns are often said to be stereotyped, this is that they are performed in the same way by all members in a particular species. It is said to have inherited genes that somehow programme its nervous system to carry out this action.

Reflex Action A relatively rapid, automatic response to a stimulus. Usually done without conscious thought with the action potentials starting the action off. An example of this could be when touching a hot pan Stimulus Receptor Sensory Neurone CNS Motor Neurone Effector Response Hot Pan Heat Receptors in Hand Sensory Neurone Spine Motor Neurone Muscle in Hand Pull Hand away from Hot Pan

Pavlov and Classical Conditioning He found out that dogs salivate when given food. He made a small hole in the dog’s cheek to measure the degree of salivation. He then puffed meat powder into the dog’s mouth on successive days. He then changed stimuli to a bell, which at first just pricked up the dogs ears. After several sessions when the bell proceeded the given of food, the dog salivated as soon as it heard the bell. He found out that you can train a dog to associate the bell with food, this is known as a conditioned reflex.

Skinner and Operant Conditioning Skinner created a box to understand operant conditioning. The box contains many buttons which bring about a positive or negative reward to the animal. The animal will just by chance push a button which will either turn the bright light off, give an electric shock or release a food pellet. After time the animal will learn to push the food button when hungry and never to push the shock button. The behaviour is reinforced with pain to stop it from reoccurring.

Kohler and Insight learning Kohler looked at a higher level of learning. He would place a banana on a string and the chimps would use boxes and sticks to get the banana, the sticks could be made to stick together if tried. The may give up as they cannot reach the banana and go off playing with the sticks, whilst playing they notice the sticks can be connected he then runs back to the banana to reach it. This is a lot more complex learning than Pavlov or Skinner, it shows they are rational thought about the problem and how they can solve it and get the banana.