Unit 3 Neurobiology & Communication Higher Human Biology Unit 3 Neurobiology & Communication KEY AREA 4: Communication and Social Behaviour

Neurobiology & Communication Learning Intentions KEY AREA 4 – Communication & Social Behaviour Effect of infant attachment Effect of communication Effect of experience Effect of group behaviour

4a) Infant Attachment Humans are social animals and the majority live in communities Members of a group must be able to communicate successfully Social behaviour involves transmitting and receiving information using signs and signals (e.g. verbal, written and body language) Effect of infant attachment The strong emotional tie that develops between the baby and mother is called infant attachment Early infant attachment is important in laying the foundation for the future of formation of stable relationships Specific attachment becomes evident between 6 and 9 months

4b) Infant Attachment – Strange Situation The “Strange Situation” Research tool used to measure infant attachment A series of events allows observers to study the behaviour of the baby with the mother, all alone, and with the stranger Secure attachment Infants that form secure attachments are more likely to investigate their immediate environment which helps to develop cognitive abilities (problem solving/decision making) Insecurely attached infants are deprived of normal social contact, affection and cuddling and can often suffer long-lasting ill effects Responses of detachment - anger or inconsistent responses

4c) Socialisation and learning Socialisation - gradual modification of developing an individual’s behaviour in order to have an active role within a community Humans have a long period of dependency on adults which provides time for socialisation and learning to occur and for social competence to develop A socially competent person has good behavioural, cognitive and emotional skills Social competence is affected by the method of control adopted by their parents There are 3 different methods of social competence control: - 1. Authoritarian (unreasonably strict) 2. Authoritative (demanding but not responsive) 3. Permissive (excessively lenient) Authoritative control generally results in greater social competence than permissive control

4d) Effect of Communication Communication is the exchange of information, facts, feelings, ideas and opinions between people Non-verbal communication comes in many forms: - Smiling at infants Facial expressions Eye contact Physical proximity (“personal space”) Touching Verbal communication includes Language Spoken words Written words Non-verbal communication is important in the formation of relationships between individuals and it can signal attitudes and emotions as well as acting as an aid to verbal communication Verbal communication is used in the transmission of knowledge, development of culture and social evolution Language uses symbols to represent information and enables it to be organized into categories and hierarchies – thus accelerating learning and intellectual development

4e) Effect of Experience: Practice Learning is a change in behavior as a result of experience The repeated use of a motor skill results in a motor pathway being established e.g. riding a bicycle Practice improves performance due to creation of motor memory pathways for the particular skill Human behavior may be learned by observation and imitation e.g. watching someone using a knife and fork

4f) Effect of Experience: Imitation Human behaviour is often learned through imitating the behaviour of others Imitation is more effective is the expert breaks up the demonstration into several small parts and allows the learner to try to repeat what they have seen in each part Learning by imitation is further promoted if the expert is perceived by the learner as an attractive role model whose status is enhanced by the possession of the skill Imitation is effective when learning social techniques e.g. tone of voice, sympathetic manner Human behavior may be learned by observation and imitation e.g. observing and imitating someone using a smart phone, is much easier than reading the manual!

4g) Effect of Experience: Reinforcement Reinforcement is when behavior patterns that have positive consequences for the individual so are likely to be repeated e.g. rat pulling lever to get food Reinforcement is designed to make a person repeat a certain action. It involves a reward being given when a desired behaviour is shown (e.g. sweets, money, praise.) This increases the chance that the behaviour will be repeated

4h) Effect of Experience: Shaping Shaping is when steps taken to get to a desired behaviour are rewarded

4i) Effect of Experience: Extinction Extinction happens when behaviour patterns are not rewarded and so the behaviour pattern eventually disappears

4j) Effect of Experience: Generalisation Generalisation is the ability to respond in the same way to many different but related stimuli Generalisation Example: A child who has been bitten by a dog fears ALL dogs Disliking a song by a particular artist and deciding you hate ALL their music

4k) Effect of Experience: Discrimination Discrimination is the ability to distinguish between different but related stimuli and give different responses Discrimination Example A child who has been bitten by a dog only fears large dogs

4l) Effect of Group Behaviour:Social Facilitation Social facilitation is when there is an increase in performance in due to the presence of others

4m) Effect of Group Behaviour: De-individuation De-individuation - loss of personal identity in a group leading to diminished restraints on behaviour and an increase in risk-taking De-individuation is often used to explain the anti-social behavior of some groups which would not be shown by individuals from these groups on their own

4n) Effect of Group Behaviour: Internalisation Internalisation is the changing of a belief because they listen to the views of others and are persuaded by their argument

4o) Effect of Group Behaviour: Identification When a person changes a belief to be like someone they respect or admire. There is no conscious thought they person simply adopts it because they identify with the person (e.g. hero-worshipping)

Neurobiology & Communication Questions KEY AREA 4 – Communication & Social behaviour Testing Your Knowledge Page 282 Q’s 1-4 Testing Your Knowledge Page 288 Q’s 1-4 Testing Your Knowledge Page 297 Q’s 1-5 Testing Your Knowledge Page 302 Q’s 1-3 What You Should Know Page 302 Q’s 1-20 Key Areas 1-4 Neurobiology & Communication Applying Your Knowledge Page 303 Q1-10 Topic Test UASP (NAB)