PSYCO381 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Reflex Arc, Sensory Neuron, Breastfeeding
Document Summary
Behaviour that occurs as a reaction to specific environmental stimuli, the behaviour ranges from simple reflexes to complex sequences. People are born with pre-existing behaviour systems that dictate how learning can occur. A close relation between an eliciting stimulus and a resulting response that is mediated by a neural circuit (the reflex arc) Involves 2 related events: an eliciting stimulus and a corresponding response. The stimulus and response are linked, such that: The the stimulus is followed by a response. The response doesn"t occur in the absence of the stimulus. Reflex arc is mediated by 3 neurons: Sensory neuron (afferent): transmits sensory message to spinal cord. Interneuron: relays information from sensory to motor neurons. Motor neuron (efferent): activates muscles of reflex response. Because of the restricted wiring, the reflex response is elicited by a restricted set of stimuli. Milk let down reflex triggered by suckling behaviour.
