Frustration Theory
An Analysis of Dispositional Learning and Memory

This book provides a basis in learning theory and particularly in frustration theory.

Abram Amsel (Author)

9780521247849, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 31 July 1992

296 pages, 68 b/w illus. 6 tables
23.7 x 15.9 x 2.1 cm, 0.536 kg

'… the section on Proterozic biogeochemistry will doubtless serve as a reference point for future studies of carbon and sulphur isotopes, as well as biomarker analysis and interpretation … this volume will surely stimulate research initiatives and serve as a key reference source for anyone interested in pursuing a more detailed understanding of the numerous topics presented.' Palaeo

We live in a world in which inconsistency is the rule rather than the exception and this is particularly true for rewards and frustrations. In some cases, rewards and frustrative non-rewards appear randomly for what seems to be the same behaviour; in others a sequence of rewards is suddenly followed by non-rewards, or large rewards by small rewards. The important common factor in these and other cases is frustration - how we learn about it and how we respond to it. This book provides a basis in learning theory and particularly in frustration theory, for a comprehension not only of the mechanisms controlling these dispositions, but also of their order of appearance in early development and, to an approximation at least, their neural underpinnings.

Preface
List of abbreviations
1. Introduction: reward-schedule effects and dispositional learning
2. Motivational and associative mechanisms of behavior
3. Frustration theory: an overview of its experimental basis
4. Survival, durability, and transfer of persistence
5. Discrimination learning and prediscrimination effects
6. Alternatives and additions to frustration theory
7. Ontogeny of dispositional learning and the reward-schedule effects
8. Toward a developmental psychobiology of dispositional learning and memory
9. Summing up: steps in the psychobiological study of related behavioral effects
10. Application to humans: a recapitulation and an addendum
Appendix
References
Indexes.

Subject Areas: Animal behaviour [PSVP], Psychiatry [MMH], Learning [JMRL]