Non-Associative Learning

learning involving only one stimulus at a time.

is learning to associate one stimulus with another or to a new response.

lack of response to originally noticeable stimuli. A widespread, basic form of learning automatic, reflexive. -return to baseline. -repeated exposure causes us to become habituated.

defensive response to a loud, unexpected noise.

innate response to a novel stimulus

after a period of no stimulus present

novel stimulus can renew reflexive response.

ex. you make a new sound and your dog cocks his head.

a startling stimulus leads to a strong response to a later stimulus. New stimulus might otherwise evoke a weaker response.

ex. kid gets shot...next time greater long term intensity. Humans can show sensitization of their startle reflexes.

change in skins electrical conductivity; response to emotion.

prior exposure to a stimulus can improve an organism's recognition later.

often studied with priming. ex. fill in the blank mot____ / sup___

prior experience with a set of stimuli make those stimuli easier to distinguish from each other.

Increased ability to make fine distinctions among highly similar stimuli. ex: chicken-sexers, medical diagnosticians, dog show judges.

occurs with only exposure to stimuli, no explicit prompting. -good at something right away. ex: rats exposure to shapes learned differentiate shapes more quickly than rats with no pre-exposure.

original learning not observed until later time.

-learn unconsciously. Learning one's environment or surroundings (much is latent learning).

*distinguishing among examples. * receiving feedback on accuracy. * mere exposure is part of process.

apply knowledge elsewhere.

does not transfer automatically to discrimination of other stimuli.

rats ran maze over 22 days. Group 1: rats given food for reaching food box on every trial. Over time learned maze with few errors. Group 2: received no food for 10 days; on 11th day, began to receive food. Exposure-first rats showed rapid learning; ultimately showed fewer errors than group 1.

ex: London taxi drivers enlarged hippocampus.

Dual process theory Comparator models Differentiation Theory Each theory may explain certain features of non-associative learning.

habituation and sensitization are separate but parallel processes.

-habituation exposure weakens connection. Operate in the same manner; do so independently. Similar to neural circuits in cat spinal cords.

habituation is a special form of perceptual learning. Brain experiences a stimulus and develops neural representation.

Compares to existing representation of previously experienced stimuli. If no match, respond is triggered (an orienting response). If match, behavioral response is suppressed (ex: habituation).

brain develops representations over time; incorporates new details each time stimulus is presented.

Brain has limited processing capabilities. Develops a vague mental representation from first stimulus exposure. Mental representation becomes more detailed with each subsequent exposure.

sea slugs with simple nervous systems, large neurons.

Have gill-withdrawal reflex. Simple sensory-glutamate-motor reflex closes gill when siphon is touched. APLYSIA SERVE AS A SIMPLE MODEL FOR NON-ASSOCIATIVE LEARNING. DUAL PROCESS THEORY PROVIDES BEST EXPLANATION FOR THIS EXAMPLE.

occurs rapidly, can endure for 10-15 mins.

Associated with decreased glutamate released. SYNAPTIC DEPRESSION-less presynaptic terminals on sensory neurons and eliminate synapses.

involves only synapses activated during the habituating event. Changes in a siphon sensory neuron will not affect sensory neurons in the tail or mantle.