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The Process of Learning

The fundamentals of learning encompass acquiring knowledge and adapting behaviors through processes like habituation, sensitization, classical and operant conditioning, and observational learning. These mechanisms allow individuals to respond to environmental changes and are crucial for personal development. The text delves into psychological research defining learning, the role of experience in behavior changes, and the application of learning theories in various settings.

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1

Learning is crucial for acquiring new ______, behaviors, skills, values, or preferences.

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knowledge

2

Learning Definition Characteristics

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Durability of changes, role of experience.

3

Learning Research Focus

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Investigate learning techniques, educational applications.

4

______ is a basic learning form where response to a familiar stimulus lessens as it's repeatedly encountered.

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Habituation

5

Sensitization vs. Habituation

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Sensitization increases response to stimulus over time; habituation decreases response to repeated, non-noxious stimulus.

6

Example of Sensitization

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After a loud bang, subsequent similar noises cause heightened jumpiness, indicating increased sensitivity to the stimulus.

7

Ivan ______ showcased this learning method by associating a bell with food, inducing salivation in dogs.

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Pavlov

8

Positive vs Negative Reinforcement

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Positive reinforcement adds a reward to increase behavior; negative reinforcement removes an aversive stimulus to do the same.

9

Role of Punishment in Operant Conditioning

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Punishment decreases the likelihood of a behavior by introducing an unpleasant outcome or removing a desirable one.

10

Thorndike's Law of Effect

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Behaviors followed by satisfying consequences are more likely to recur, forming the basis of operant conditioning.

11

The ______ Doll Experiment by Bandura showed that children could adopt ______ behaviors by mimicking adults.

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Bobo aggressive

12

Habituation vs. Sensitization

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Habituation: Decreased response to repeated stimulus. Sensitization: Increased response to potent stimulus.

13

Classical Conditioning Components

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Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS), Conditioned Stimulus (CS), Unconditioned Response (UCR), Conditioned Response (CR).

14

Operant Conditioning Consequences

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Reinforcement increases behavior likelihood. Punishment decreases behavior likelihood.

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The Fundamentals of Learning

Learning is an essential process that involves acquiring new knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, or preferences and may involve synthesizing different types of information. This process is highly individualized, influenced by genetic, cognitive, emotional, and environmental factors, and can occur consciously or unconsciously. Learning is a lifelong endeavor, observable in humans and other animals, and is fundamental to adapting to changes within an environment and for personal development.
Diverse students engage in various learning activities in a bright classroom, from listening to audio to examining plants and solving puzzles.

Defining Learning in Psychological Research

Psychologists define learning as a relatively permanent change in behavior or potential behavior that results from experience. This definition emphasizes the durability of changes and the role of experience, allowing for empirical study and measurement. It is through this lens that researchers can systematically investigate the effectiveness of various learning techniques and their applications in educational settings.

Habituation: A Primary Learning Process

Habituation is the simplest form of learning, characterized by a decrease in response to a repeated stimulus over time. This process allows organisms to disregard irrelevant stimuli and focus on those that are novel or significant. Habituation is evident in everyday experiences, such as becoming accustomed to the sound of traffic, and serves as a foundational concept in the study of learning.

Sensitization: Enhanced Responsiveness to Stimuli

Sensitization is the process by which a repeated stimulus results in an amplified response, often due to the stimulus being noxious or intense. This learning mechanism ensures that organisms become more responsive to potential threats or important cues in their environment. An example of sensitization is jumping at a loud noise after experiencing a loud bang, indicating an increased alertness to similar stimuli.

Classical Conditioning: Associative Learning

Classical conditioning is a form of associative learning where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus, eliciting a similar response. Ivan Pavlov's experiments with dogs demonstrated this phenomenon, where a bell (neutral stimulus) was paired with food (unconditioned stimulus) to produce salivation (conditioned response). Classical conditioning has broad applications, including in therapeutic settings to treat phobias and in advertising to create positive associations with products.

Operant Conditioning: Learning Through Reinforcement and Punishment

Operant conditioning is a learning process where the consequences of a behavior influence the likelihood of its recurrence. Positive reinforcement strengthens behavior by presenting a rewarding stimulus, while negative reinforcement strengthens behavior by removing an aversive stimulus. Punishment, on the other hand, decreases the likelihood of a behavior's recurrence. Edward Thorndike's Law of Effect, which states that behaviors followed by satisfying outcomes are more likely to be repeated, is foundational to this theory. Operant conditioning is widely used in educational settings, behavior modification programs, and animal training.

Observational Learning and Social Learning Theory

Social learning theory, proposed by Albert Bandura, posits that learning can occur through observation and imitation of others. Bandura's Bobo Doll Experiment demonstrated that children could learn aggressive behaviors by watching adults. This theory emphasizes the importance of cognitive processes in learning and the role of models in social behavior. Observational learning is a critical aspect of human development and is instrumental in the acquisition of cultural practices, language, and social norms.

Comprehensive Understanding of Learning Theories

The study of learning encompasses a range of theories that explain how individuals adapt and acquire new information. Habituation and sensitization are foundational learning processes, while classical and operant conditioning provide frameworks for understanding associative learning and the role of consequences. Social learning theory extends these concepts to include the impact of observation and imitation. Together, these theories offer a robust framework for comprehending the multifaceted nature of learning, informing educational practices and fostering personal growth.