Simple Stimulus Learning Habituation and Perceptuality

The Concept of Habituation Habituation is a simple learning method characterized by a decrement in intensity of the neural or innocuous response to the repeated application of stimuli. Therefore, habituation allows an animal to ignore such stimuli as irrelevant and chooses not to respond to its application when repeatedly subjected to similar stimuli (Meredith, Stein, 1996).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Simple Stimulus Learning: Habituation and Perceptuality specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Meredith and Stein (1996) note one such example to be a bird that becomes habituated and does not run away from people whom it could run before frequent stimulations are applied. Research conducted on the habituation of animals indicates that animals learn to positively or negatively associate specific stimuli by conditionally responding to the application of specific forms of stimuli. Habituation is ubiquitously embedded i n every organism’s sensory system and enables them afford different behavioral patterns in response to the hierarchal forms of habituation. An example is a dog that has been habituated to respond to a bell despite the absence or presence of a meal. Researchers view both aversive and defensive responses as often similar in magnitude with slight variations. The varied intensity and response to stimuli and the resulting habituation is directly related to the intensity of the applied stimuli, a generally accepted principle by many researchers. However, the general consensus varies widely. According to Miller, Morse, Dorman (1977), different approaches in investigating habituation with repeated applications of stimuli indicate varied responses. However, results from such studies verify the habituation concept. One such is habituating people with different tones. If different groups are treated to different tones, the need to orient them to the stimuli arises. This is the case wit h infants. When infants are habituated through the novel stimuli they respond inquiringly to the new stimuli than the old stimuli, clearly indicating novelty and habituation. Similarly, rats uniquely endeavor to investigate new objects added to a test environment clearly illustrating the novelty recognition identified above. Factors that Affect Perceptual Learning The concept of perceptual learning is influenced by the degree or extent to which individuals are conversant with an applied stimulus. A familiar stimulus leads us to perceive and build on what we have perceived. Therefore, learning is faster with prior experience than with a new stimulus. However, it is important to note the significance of attaching weight in distinguishing between stimuli.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Other influencing factors include the degree of positive and negative instances in determining the con trasting stimulus that may not be based on a simple established benchmark. The transition from a simple to difficulty stimuli determines the extent of discrimination necessary to create a distinct degree of orientation. That enhances later abilities to discriminate in a more difficulty environment. Task demands for an animal significantly influence the perceptual learning process depending on specific needs associated with the learning task. In addition to this task is attention and feedback. Miller et al. (1977) argue that the efficacy of a task is influenced by a rise above the learning level to a given extent before a drop is experienced. This provides a framework for the kind of response specific to stimuli and feedback.The attention and feedback paradigm critically relies on task demands and performance behavior for specific stimuli. The behavior of animals particularly when exposed to new environments such as the supply of new food elicits discrimination. Though research indic ates that this exposure revolves around habituation and mere exposure, detailed studies have shown that even animals need to adapt. This conflict leads to less overall assumptions about stimuli and resumption of the old habituation. Effects of Stimulus Exposure These effects include prevalence for familiar stimuli, priming facilitation, potentiated startle, and recapitulation. Miller et al’s. (1977) argument that the emotional variable of stimuli can rise in prevalence to specific stimuli when an animal is exposed to the stimuli is significant. This approach is commonly referred to as mere exposure and is characterized by lack of rewards or an event that evokes stimuli. This is evident with many animals such as rats. Rats indicate neophobia by characteristically declining to consume new food that may seem strange to them. However, as they become familiar with the new food, these animals become more and more attached and consume more and more of the food. In effect, familiarit y breeds a stronger link. This behavioral paradigm can be reinforced through sensory plasticity without necessarily evoking stimuli (Miller et al., 1977).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Simple Stimulus Learning: Habituation and Perceptuality specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More On the other hand, Miller et al. (1977) note that priming facilitation can enhance discrimination and identification at a faster rate than when introduced for the first time. This is based on prior activation of the sensory nerves in perception. That implies time is low and reactions are faster for stimuli that had been introduced compared to a newly introduced stimuli. Another effect is potentiated startle. The magnitude of the startle caused by an incident like the burst of loud music can create a reaction which when habituated decreases. However, background stimuli when combined with the habituated startle may cause the reaction to rise i nstead of declining. This is the case for identifying the amount of fear inherent in animals. Potentiated startles when incorporated with fear have the effect of causing higher reactions (Mondor Breau, 1999). The potential nature of recapitulations significantly increases the degree of response to stimuli. However, habituated recapitulated stimuli can be liked or disliked by the target animal, depending on the degree of orientation to the applied stimuli and the rules used to manipulate the stimuli. Application of Stimuli to real life situations In the real life environment, stimuli play a significant role in the treatment of various maladies including anxiety, phobias among others. Emotional flooding is identifiably a unique approach in exposing a target situation to controlled stimuli of fear. This implies a decline in the fear results from repeated application of the stimuli. An example is if one fears riding on a horse, a ride on a horse may be recommended. This provides prolon ged exposure to the subject that fears riding, with the consequences of alleviating the fears. Different therapists propose different approaches of treating conditions associated with stimuli. Mondor and Breau (1999) view David Barlow to be a staunch proponent of the latter. Barlow asserts that maximum exposure to stimuli had the counter effect of alleviating the problem with certain patients. Such prescriptions have been shown to effectively reduce the anxiety associated with a specific patient on a specific event.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Other applications in the real life situations are virtual reality therapeutic exposures. This approach includes flight events that individuals that fear flying are treated to flight related stimuli by use of a helmet that is designed with the characteristics of virtual reality. Almost 70% success rates have been recorded. Conclusion Habituations are ubiquitously embedded in every organism’s sensory system and enables them afford different behavioral patterns in response to the hierarchal forms of habituation. It varies in intensity with the applied stimuli. Different Reponses however, have been identified to significantly influence the varied forms of response. These responses are vital for the treatment of phobia, fear, and other forms of psychiatric problems. However, further research need to be conducted to scientifically reinforce the contentious issues related to these forms of treatments. References Meredith, M. A., Stein, B. E. (1996). Spatial determinants of multise nsory integration in cat superior colliculus neurons. Journal of Neurophysiology, 75, 1843-1857. Miller, C. L., Morse, P. A., Dorman, M. F. (1977). Cardiac indices of infant speech perception: Orienting and burst discrimination. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 29, 533-545. Mondor, T. A., Breau, L. M. (1999). Facilitative and inhibitory effects of location and frequency cues: Evidence of a modulation in perceptual sensitivity. Perception Psychophysics, 61, 438-444. This essay on Simple Stimulus Learning: Habituation and Perceptuality was written and submitted by user Hezekiah Valenzuela to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

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buy custom â€Å"Hostage Nation† essay Hostage Nation is a story of interaction between Columbian politics and economy. It focuses also on Columbias relationship with the United States and the release of the three contractors held captive in Columbia in February, 13, 2003 for over five years after their plane (Cessna plane) crashed. The U.S.A had tried to send more troops in rescue mission but they failed largely because of the effects of the local sympathizers of the FARC group. The story is narrated by two Columbian journalists who were better positioned to narrate the story. They had also recorded the kidnapping of the presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt. Her husbands efforts to aid to rescue her were however frustrated by his fear that her step could culminate in her death. In 2006 the author restructured the hostage story into a new narrative, the wealthiest and the lethal insurgent army in the world. Botero became the focal point when he became the first journalist to interview them and even to report that the hostages were alive after five months. They narrate the story as it unfolds. They provide accounts of events as they happen step by step and they even include the fight on drugs. (Plan Colombia)The U.S. policy had started during the reign of Clinton, extended during the reign of Bush but diminished drastically during the reign of Barrack Obama. The story, Hostage Nation, revolves around the three Americans who were held hostage(Thomas Howes, Keith Stansell and Marc Gonsalves),who worked with California Microwave systems, which worked under Northrop Grumman, a company that was hired to carry out plan Colombia. The plane that had carried the there had been downed by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (the government of Colombia).After shooting it with several bullets the engine failed. The government of the U.S. avoided negotiations and remained adamant in rescuing the hostages because they feared they could have been murdered. The plan Colombia was attempting to wipe out the Guerrilla fighters and the drug trade. The drug trade was rampant in 1970s where marijuana and cocaine were being traded. Under the President Reagan, the U.S.A had started to fight against the menace. During the same period, kidnapping, carried out by the Columbian revolutionary Armed Forces had started to take shape. Initially they had kidnapped an oil exploration worker and an agricultural worker and held them demanded for money. They requested 38 dollars for 7 men. The increased sale of cocaine in Colombia drastically falls during the period of the 2rd World War. The FARC group was increasing at a very high rate to the extent of threatening the government. The group became hostile with time during the period of the late 1990s.In 1999, they killed 136 people. They also killed Diego Turbay, who was the Head of Congressional peace Commission in 2000.Alvaro Ulimbe,whose father had been killed by the FARC, came into power on 26th, May,2002 with a mission of combating the group. The period saw the FBI investigation group under the leadership of Noesner investigating the matter of kidnapping involving the American citizens. The three hostages and the kidnapped presidential aspirant however are rescued in 2008.Although in May, 2003, President Uribe had attempted a military rescue the FARC group had already heard the sound of the helicopters. They annihilated all the prisoners and fled away from the area. The U.S military however did not hesitate to go on with the routine search for the three American hostages. After the U.S. airplane crashed, they were redundant to carry out investigation. Later investigation was done through the use of DOD and they realized that the plane crashed because they were operating it beyound its handbook limitation. Towards the end of March, 2003, there were no traces of the Americans. Joyjoy, who was known as the military leader of the FARC, was responsible for the series of successful actions that the group had performed. However, the group denied. Three hostages at the residing area of FARC had already been separated into different cells and no communication was allowed . The surveillance mission of the U.S.A troops was halted for one month after the plane crash of 13th, February, 2003. The CMS Company of the U.S.A that was initially undertaking the surveillance soon changed its name to CIAO on 24th, February, 2003 and started its mission on 25th, March, 2003.On the same day another U.S.A plane crashed. After investigations were done at the crash site, bullets were found on the bodies showing that the FARC group could have been responsible for the crash. The switch from CMS to CIAO was a great obstacle towards the compensation that had to be paid to the relatives of the victims. Northrop Grumman who was the former manager of the CMS Company denied the responsibility of the second crash since the contract with his workers had ended when the company changed its name. The involvement of the U.S.A in a drug fight was meant to protect the countrys government from accountability could. The story becomes complicated because the rescue is intertwined with the Byzantine account of the prevailing Colombian politics. The rescue of the three hostages is made possible through the help of the former FBI hostage negotiator, Gary Noesner and a journalist, Botero. During his university education, Botero Jorqe Enrique had been arrested because of political dissidence. He had already gained a public image after he revealed that Cali Cartel had funded the presidential aspirant at that time, Ernesto Samper. Botero had been granted permission to interview FARC revolutionary and also to talk to his former friend Cano. He was also given a rare access to the military videotapes and the military prisoners who were kept there in a pathhetic situation. Botaro had a chance of interviewing the prisoners while he was there. Although the government had tried to put obstacles to him limiting him not to put the images to the public, he had already shown the pathetic images to the public portraying the suffering the prisoners were undergoing. The work of Botaro met a lot of opposition especially by the group that thought he was supporting the FARC group. His life was even threatened at one time. Botero was granted the access to the 3 American hostages .The Americans thought that he was manipulating them. The results of the interview and the research he had conducted were handed over to the U.S.A government and that proved that the hostages indeed were still alive. The FARC group used the hostages as a pawn to further their interests and declared that any attempt to rescue them would directly culminate in their execution. High ranked officials of the group among whom was Trinidad were captured in Ecuador, later taken to Colombia and then to the U.S.A being charged with drug trafficking. The release of Trinidad among FARC members were demanded in exchange for the release of the three American citizens who were held hostage. The United States government acknowledged the condition and accepted to release them in return for the three lost Americans. Some of Europes citizens were held hostage in the groups camp. Ingrid Betancourts had requested for permission to be visited by her husband and sister but the group refuted the request since she had earlier tried to escape from the prison together with another lady, Clara Rojus. Bentakurtz husband had tried many times to use democracy to free his wife but the attempt had failed. While at the captivity, Clara Rogers managed to give birth to a baby boy. The baby was taken by the guerillas that had no conducive environment to take care of it. Uribe had approval a nd had done a lot in fighting against the guerillas. He also requested the U.S.A government to assist him in his effort. U.S.A increased its support to Colombia by giving donations. The government of U.SA donated 3.3 Billion dollars to help in the fight against cocaine. Later the U.S.A government claimed that the money had been misused. The trial of the guerilla leader was one full of fear and anxiety as the U.S did not know what was in store for them. They feared losing the three citizens who were held hostage in the FARC camp. As the trial of the group leader continued, Pierdad Cordoba and Botero teamed up together to try and negotiate the release of the hostages. They travelled through in U.S and Colombia during this mission. Later after a myriad of attempts by Cordoba and Botero, their mission bore fruits as the captives were finally released. The end of the story presents the win of The U.S contractors. The hostages are rescued and Botero asserts that as far as the military industrial make lives complex, drug wars must be pursued. Buy custom â€Å"Hostage Nation† essay