Study Guide: Introduction to Learning in Psychology

Learning

What is Learning?

Learning is a fundamental concept in psychology, referring to the process by which organisms acquire new behaviors or knowledge through experience. Unlike innate behaviors such as instincts and reflexes, learned behaviors require interaction with the environment and are not present at birth.

• Instincts are complex, innate behaviors triggered by broad environmental events (e.g., migration, sexual activity).

• Reflexes are simple, automatic responses to specific stimuli (e.g., knee-jerk reflex, pupil contraction in bright light).

• Learned behaviors involve change and experience, resulting in relatively permanent changes in behavior or knowledge.

Definition: Learning is a relatively permanent change in behavior or knowledge that results from experience.

Innate vs. Learned Behaviors

Innate behaviors, such as instincts and reflexes, are present at birth and do not require learning. They help organisms adapt to their environment automatically. In contrast, learned behaviors are acquired through experience and allow for more flexible adaptation.

• Reflex Example: An infant sucking on a nipple is a reflex present at birth.

• Instinct Example: Birds migrating as seasons change is an instinctive behavior.

• Learned Example: Learning to surf requires practice and observation, not innate ability.

Three Basic Forms of Learning

Psychologists identify three primary forms of learning, each involving different mechanisms and processes:

• Classical Conditioning: Learning in which a stimulus or experience occurs before the behavior and gets paired or associated with the behavior. Example: Associating lightning with thunder and jumping at the sight of lightning.

• Operant Conditioning: Learning in which the stimulus or experience happens after the behavior is demonstrated. Example: A dog learns to sit by receiving a treat after sitting.

• Observational Learning: Learning by watching others and imitating their actions. Example: A child learns to surf by observing their parent.

Associative Learning

Associative learning is central to classical and operant conditioning. It involves making connections between stimuli or events that occur together in the environment.

• Classical Conditioning: Often involves unconscious processes.

• Operant Conditioning: Typically involves conscious processes.

• Observational Learning: Adds social and cognitive layers to associative processes.

Behaviorism

All three learning approaches are part of the behaviorist tradition in psychology, which focuses on observable behaviors and their relationship to environmental stimuli. However, other fields such as memory and cognition also contribute to the study of learning.

Summary Table: Types of Learning

Type of Learning	Definition	Example
Classical Conditioning	Stimulus occurs before behavior and is paired with it	Jumping at lightning due to association with thunder
Operant Conditioning	Stimulus occurs after behavior as consequence	Dog receives treat after sitting
Observational Learning	Learning by watching and imitating others	Child learns to surf by observing parent

Glossary

• Classical Conditioning: Learning in which the stimulus or experience occurs before the behavior and then gets paired or associated with the behavior.

• Learning: Change in behavior or knowledge that is the result of experience.

• Observational Learning: A type of learning that occurs by watching others.

• Operant Conditioning: A form of learning in which the stimulus/experience happens after the behavior is demonstrated.

• Reflex: An unlearned, automatic response by an organism to a stimulus in the environment.

Example of Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning is illustrated by training a dog to sit. When the dog sits, it receives a treat, reinforcing the behavior. Over time, the dog learns to associate sitting with receiving a reward.

Review Questions

• Which of the following is an example of a reflex that occurs at some point in the development of a human being? a. child riding a bike b. teen socializing c. infant sucking on a nipple d. toddler walking

• Learning is best defined as a relatively permanent change in behavior that ________. a. is innate b. occurs as a result of experience c. is found only in humans d. occurs by observing others

Critical Thinking Questions

• What is the difference between a reflex and a learned behavior?

Personal Application Questions

• What is your personal definition of learning? How do your ideas about learning compare with the definition of learning presented in this text?