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Understanding the Limitations of Learning: Physiological and Environmental Influences

This chapter explores the limitations of learning in relation to physical characteristics and inherited traits. It delves into the physiological structures of species and emphasizes that learned behaviors are not inherited, challenging Lamarckian evolution. Through key studies, such as William McDougall's work on generational training and Tryon's maze experiments with rats, the text examines the impact of genetic and environmental factors, including prenatal damage and critical learning periods. The role of biological preparedness and instinctive drift in behavior acquisition is also discussed.

nelle-pickett
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Understanding the Limitations of Learning: Physiological and Environmental Influences

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  1. Chapter 12 The Limitations of Learning

  2. Physical Characteristics • Physiological structure of the species • Limitations on behaviours

  3. Nonheritability of Learned Behaviour • Learned behaviours are not inherited • Lamarckian evolution: passing acquired characteristics to offspring • William McDougall: trained on tasks for many generations • Failure to replicate results • Inheritance of learning could limit adaptability

  4. Heredity and Learning Ability • Genetic influences on ability to learn • Not the same as inheriting learned behaviours • Tryon (1940): rats learn maze, breed “smartest” together and “dumbest” together for 18 generations • Identical twins reared apart • Nature and nurture

  5. Neurological Damage • Neurotoxins • Prenatal damage to CNS (e.g., fetal alcohol syndrome, crack cocaine) • Environmental toxins (e.g., lead) • Physical damage (e.g., concussions)

  6. Critical Periods • Stage for optimum learning • Imprinting • Konrad Lorenz • Puppy dogs • Harlow (1958, 1962) studies: terry cloth monkey moms

  7. Biological Preparedness • Species specific influences on behaviour • Genetic predispositions • Assist or hinder acquisition of behaviour • Retention of behaviour

  8. Instinctive Drift • Breland & Breland (1961) • Pig, raccoon • Operant task • Reinforcer • Early in training • Later in training

  9. Autoshaping • Brown & Jenkins (1968) • Key pecking with pigeons • VT-60 grain delivery • Light on 8 seconds before food delivery • No response necessary… • But pigeons started pecking light

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