CHAPTER 3

BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL

PREDISPOSITIONS IN LEARNING

REPORTER:
ANALYN G. GONZALES
Biological Predispositions in
Learning
• Brain Development
• Nervous System
• Parts of the Brain
• Brain Lateralization
Environmental Predispositions
in Learning
• Natural Setting
• Social Setting
• Cultural Demands
• Social Roles and
Expectations
• Media
Biological Predispositions of Learning

Learning is clearly an outcome of specific exposure

conditions that requires specific biological adaptations.
It is construed that learning depends on several
biological factors.
Brain Development
At the end of conception, cells of the brain starts to
divide and re-divide at an incredible rate. When the
baby is born some 200 billion cells have been created
. In fact, the number of brain cells produced is beyond
what individuals need. There is actually an
overproduction of brain cells in order to make sure
that the development of the numerous complex skills
needed for survival will be realized. However the
production ceases before the end of the first year of
one’s life. After age one human being do not develop
another brain cell because all the needed cells are in
place. However, the human brain grows in size as a
result of experience brought about by webbing of
more and more connections.
 The Nervous System

The nervous system composed of the brain and the spinal cord.
The brain is held in the cranial cavity of the skull which is
composed of the cerebrum, cerebellum and the brain stem.
The nervous system is divided into central nervous
system(CNS) and peripheral nervous system(PNS) .The
spinal cord and the brain make up the CNS.

The brain keeps the entire body in order. It also control the body
organs and systems. The nerves divided many times from the
spinal cord In order to reach all the parts of the body. The
PNS consist of somatic nervous system (SNS) and automatic
nervous system (ANS)
Our Nervous System is the message center
of our body. Messages of the nervous
system travel throughout the body to help
the body function and stay safe. The
nervous system is an amazing and
complex network of cells that relay
messages from all of parts our body to our
brain
The spinal cord is the main highway in which
these messages travel. Messages travel in
such a short of span of time so that it
almost immediate.
Central Nervous System
The central nervous system is responsible for
so many things we almost take for granted:
tasting,smelling,seeing,hearing,thinking,dream
ing,breathing,heart beating, moving, running,
sleeping, laughing, singing, remembering,
feeling, pain or pleasure, painting writing. You
couldn't do any of these things without your
central nervous system
PARTS OF THE BRAIN
 FOREBRAIN

The Forebrain is the largest and the most

prominent part of the human brain. It
comprises the thalamus, hypothalamus,
limbic system and cerebral cortex. The
thalamus, hypothalamus and limbic system
are located near the top of the brainstem.
Around them is the cerebral cortex. The word
“cerebrum” is of Latin origin which means
“brain” while the word “cortex”” means
“cover”.
THALAMUS
 responsible for relaying sensory information to the
cerebral cortex.
 also responsible for integrating information, learning,
and memory.

HYPOTHALAMUS
 in charge of our emotions likewise it regulates our
drives for thirst, hunger, sex and aggression.
 responsible for regulating the body’s internal
environment including temperature control
 hypothalamus influences the pituitary gland
 hypothalamus is so small but it controls some part of
the automatic nervous system and the endocrine
glands.
Brain Lateralization
Environmental Predispositions in Learning

Environmental influence starts at the onset of

conception of a child. The fetus in the womb is
influenced by the mother's mental, physical, and
emotional conditions. Such influence will continue to
linger the moment the baby goes out the womb of
his or her mother. Then the same child will interact
with the surroundings which prevail at home, in
school,and community. In this places children will
interact with the members of the family, teachers,
classmates or peers and neigbors. In their
interaction, they establish relationships with them.
Some environmental factors or in fluence can be
categorized as:
 Natural Setting covers the climatic and atmospheric conditions.
 Social Setting includes the prevailing environment of home
such as the number and type of family, child-rearing practices,
scope of freedom,discord among birth positions,study facilities,
learning material, ventilation, lighting, temperature and so on.
 Cultural demands pertain to the prevailing spirit of culture that
is reflected in the social and educational institutions.
 Social roles and expectation are mental scripts that we
internalized and are associated with certain expectations and
norms of behavior. These are our understanding about what
behavior is appropriate in different settings. These
unconsciously, habe the power to influence the word we use,
the way we view situations, or the way we deal with others.
 Media influence pertains to the cognitive and
social processes by which knowledge is
constructed. It is an important component of
transmitting information. Media can be print
and non print which may:
1. arouse motivation
2. direct attention
3. help students engage in the learning process
4. increase student performance