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In this programme Dr Derek Corcoran, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the Open University, looks at examples of animal 'societies' and at the brain structure of the species concerned. He shows that... the degree of social learning is associated with the development of the cerebrum. Corcoran discusses one way of classifying human "drives"; (?) it is according to the amount of learning involved. Like other animals, man is seen to possess basic drives derived from tissue needs, but his great capacity for learning gives rise to other drives which are not inborn, but acquired within society.
In this programme Dr Derek Corcoran, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the Open University, looks at examples of animal 'societies' and at the brain structure of the species concerned. He shows that... the degree of social learning is associated with the development of the cerebrum. Corcoran discusses one way of classifying human "drives"; (?) it is according to the amount of learning involved. Like other animals, man is seen to possess basic drives derived from tissue needs, but his great capacity for learning gives rise to other drives which are not inborn, but acquired within society.
| Module code and title: | D100, Understanding society: a foundation course |
|---|---|
| Item code: | D100; 01; 1972 |
| First transmission date: | 10-01-1971 |
| Published: | 1972 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:37 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Michael Philps |
| Contributors: | Derek Corcoran; Michael Drake |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Psychology |
| Footage description: | Introduction and general background to course and introduction to this unit by Michael Drake. Derek Corcoran discusses human behaviour as an animal and as a social being. He gives examples of behaviour of lower animals in societies, feeling that a study of animal behaviour would apply in part to man. Shots of bees in hive, fish shoals, geese and baboons. Their social behaviour is discussed. Both instinctive and learned behaviour is pointed out in these animal societies. Learned behaviour is associated with the cerebrum - the larger the cerebrum, the more learned behaviour the animal is capable of. Diagrams and models of the nervous system of bees, fish, geese, monkey, and man to show cerebrum development in relation to learned behaviour. Shots of animal learning experiments. Pigeon pecking a disc for food reward. It must peck the correct disc at least ten times. Shots, of similar experiment conducted with human beings using visual association of letters in series. Corcoran discusses the anatomy of the human brain both the cerebrum and the "old brain". He uses models and diagrams to indicate the areas responsible for motor functions in man and those which are responsible for learned behaviour. He concludes that human behaviour is an inter-action of animal and human (learned) characteristics. Corcoran defines "drives" and 'tieeds". He produces a Iist of human drives in a classified order. Inborn drives, partially learned, and learned drives. How can one determine whether a drive is inborn or learned? Shots of and discussion of experiment with a rat. The experiment demonstrates that the rat "learns" fear. It learns to avoid an electric shock - avoidance learning. Seeking sensory stimulation from the environment seems to be a basic drive. Shots of austronauts m a highly monotonous environment. Social drives (learned) axe often in conflict, with basic (inborn) drives. Examples of this :onflict are discussed. Society uses learned drives as an aid in socialisation of the individual. Behaviour is modified by the individuals need for praise etc. Several examples are given. Why is this? The storehouse of learned drives in an individuals is his conscience. Disregard of these learned drives in favour of some basic drive results in punishment (feelings of guilt or shame). In man, learned behaviour superimposes itself on animal nature. Discussion' over the animal nature Summary by Corcoran. He again compares animal with human behaviour. The similarity of pigeon and human behaviour is noted. Summary by Drake. |
| Master spool number: | 6LT/10002 |
| Production number: | 00520_1201 |
| Videofinder number: | 411 |
| Available to public: | no |
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