PS264 Chapter Notes - Chapter 12: Cognitive Flexibility, Monoamine Oxidase, Prefrontal Cortex
Document Summary
Curiosity and exploratory behaviour: exploratory behaviour occurs without very much encouragement from their parents, motivation for exploring has been basis for much discussion and debate, novelty, curiosity and exploratory behaviour. Organisms motivated to interact with new or novel objects and learn in the process. Interest in novel things diminishes with repeated exposure led to conclusion that what motivates exploratory behaviour is novelty. Animals prefer choosing more complex stimulus if given the choice. Dember and earl"s theory of exploratory behaviour. Theory based on assumption that organisms motivated to experience optimal complexity. Individual becomes accustomed or habituated to a certain level of complexity (adaptation level) Motivated to explore stimuli slightly more complex. Individuals will select stimuli slightly more complex than those they have adapted to, and will increase complexity: competence and exploratory behaviour. To eat - to know food supplies. Argued that motivation no longer tied directly to specific survival needs, but has roots in more generalized drive.