Psy 420: Lecture 1 (1/25/16)

Front 1

Define Natural Selection

Back 1

The genetic basis for variation.

Front 2

T/F: Unused genetic materials can be activated by environmental conditions

Back 2

True

Front 3

T/F: Adaptation results in good characteristics being carried on to the next generation

Back 3

False. There is no "good" or "bad" characteristics. Adaptive characteristics that are passed on to later generations do so based on the current environment. As environment changes so do the adaptive characteristics.

Front 4

Describe how the peppered moth is an example of natural selection

Back 4

Peppered moths exist as two colors, black and white. Prior to the industrial revolution white pepper moths were better adapted to the white barked trees of England making them more likely to survive predation. Soon, white peppered moths out-numbered black peppered moths. After the industrial revolution, pollution caused a darkening of the white tree bark resulting in dark trees. This allowed black peppered moths to survive predation better than white moths. Soon black peppered moths out-numbered white peppered moths.

Front 5

T/F: Genetic mutation are a result of environmental pressures

Back 5

False. Variations as a result of genetic mutation occur randomly throughout a species and are not a result of environmental pressures.

Front 6

Provide an example as to why humans near the equator are darker skinned while those furthest are lighter skinned based on natural selection

Back 6

Humans closest to the equator are exposed to more light than those away from the equator. Melanin helps to block harmful radiation that accompany light. Those closest to the equator are darker due to higher levels of light. Those furthest from the equator encounter less light and so require as much light as they can gain access to in order to absorb sufficient vitamin D.

Front 7

This is the simplest for of elicited behavior

Back 7

The Reflex

Front 8

Which of the following is NOT true in regards to reflex?

A. It is the simplest form of elicited behavior.

B. Response rarely occurs in absece of stimuli

C. It is highly stereotypical

D. It rarely is used to protect from injury.

Back 8

D. It rarely is used to protect from injury.

Front 9

Name the three components of the Reflex Arc and define them

Back 9

A. Sensory Neuron: Neuron responsible for sensing external stimuli and transporting sensory information to the interneuron.

B. Interneuron: The processing center which dictates the appropriate response to stimuli

C. Motor Neuron: The action in response to the external stimuli.

Front 10

What are the two processes of reflex?

Back 10

1. Habituation: Repeated presentations of the same stimulus will reduce the magnitude of the response elicited by that stimuli

2. Sensitization: When you are already aroused, the same eliciting stimulus will trigger a much stronger reaction. This is called a sensitization effect.

Front 11

T/F: Sensitization and Habituation CANNOT occur at the same time

Back 11

False

Front 12

What is the Dual-Process Theory?

Back 12

Habituation and Sensitization occurs simultaneously within the body. The Dual-Process Theory explains how certain behavioral outcomes result when seemingly opposing processes can occur at the same time. The Dual-Process Theory does this by explaining how the overall sum of Sensitization and Habituation can result in the outcome.

Front 13

Describe Modal Action Patterns

Back 13

Innate behaviors that are stereotypical within a species that are elicited by releaser/releasing stimulus which often help the organism survive. (ex. Spider's innate ability to spin a web which helps in the capture of food)

Front 14

List the following "modes" from less stereotyped to most stereotyped

A. Food Handling and Ingestion Mode

B. General Search Mode

C. Focal Search Mode

Back 14

B. General Search Mode

C. Focal Search Mode

A. Food Handling and Ingestion Mode

Front 15

What is the difference between Appetitive Behavior and Consummatory Behavior?

Back 15

A. Appetitive Behavior: Often preceeds consummatory behavior. Activity that increases the liklihood of satisfying a specific need.

B. Consummatory Behavior: A behavior pattern that occurs in response to a stimulus and that achieves the satisfaction of a specific drive

Front 16

Which of the following would be considered an Appetitive Behavior?

A. Snake Strikes, and injects venom into rodent passing by.

B. Snake crawls over fallen logs where last meal had been discovered

C. Snake Opens jaws and maneuvers rodent for swallowing

D. Snake swallows rodent

Back 16

B. Snake crawls over fallen logs where last meal had been discovered

Front 17

T/F: General behavior trains occur in wide ranges and have greater plasticity of behavior compared to Modal Action Patterns

Back 17

True

Front 18

List some behavioral traits in which heredity plays a role

Back 18

1. Selective breeding

2. Sexual orientation

3. Gender identity

4. Psychiatric disorders

5. Human affilitation

Front 19

Explain how heredity played a role in the breeding of domesticated foxes

Back 19

Feral foxes were bred through artificial selection focusing on timid behavior. The offspring which exhibited timid behavior were allowed to breed with other foxes who exhibited timid behavior. After 5 generations not only were there behavior changes in the bred foxes but also physiological changes. Coat color changed, ears became floppy, and they began to bark. In order to determine if such behavior was indeed inherited or if it was learned the offspring of timid foxes were given to ferral foxes to raise and vice versa. If the behavior was learned then the born timid foxes would become ferral. After the experiment they found that the born timid foxes who were raised ferral were still timid indicating that the behavior of timidness was inherited.

Front 20

How would someone be able to determine if timidness was inherited or learned?

Back 20

In order to determine if such behavior was indeed inherited or if it was learned the offspring of timid foxes were given to ferral foxes to raise and vice versa. If the behavior was learned then the born timid foxes would become ferral. After the experiment they found that the born timid foxes who were raised ferral were still timid indicating that the behavior of timidness was inherited.