This file accompanies the Youtube clip on the same subject - see my Youtube channel 'Psyccounting'

1. Learning Definition – key descriptors
 Relatively permanent
Learning: is a relatively permanent
 Result of experience change in behaviour that occurs
as a result of experience
• It is ongoing
• It can be modified
Maturation
Reflex Behaviour not
dependent on learning F.A.P

2. Reflex – key descriptors
• automatic behaviour response
• does not require prior
experience – Maturation
• Is a simple response (as
opposed to F.A.P)
• Generally are protective aid
survival
• E.g. eye blink,
• Many disappear shortly after
birth sucking reflex
Reflex: is an inborn automatic (involuntary) behavioural
response (movement) which occurs the same way (every time)
in response to a stimulus

3. Fixed Action Patterns
Key descriptors
1. are inborn predispositions
2. in response to a specific
environmental stimulus
3. characteristic of a species
• often complex responses
• All members of the species
produce behaviour
• They can’t be ‘Unlearned’ or it
F.A.P: is an inborn predisposition to
is very difficult to change. behave in a certain way response to a
• Higher order animals (humans) specific environmental stimulus that is
have few if any instinctive characteristic of a species or group.
behaviours
• E.g. Salmon swimming
upstream to spawn

4. Reflexes vs F.A.P’s
F.A.P’s Reflexes
Response A complex series of
responses Simple
e.g. bower birds building e.g a blink
a nest out of blue
objects
Behaviour
Species specific The same reflex can
occur for different
Only Bower birds, build species i.e. blinking from
nests using blue a puff of dust in the eye.
materials

5. Behaviour dependent on Maturation
Key descriptors
• sequential changes the
body is genetically
predetermined
• controlled by genetic
inheritance
• Responses appear at
Maturation: refers to sequential changes
predictable times that the body is genetically programmed
• E.g crawling, then standing, to make at predetermined times.
then walking, etc.