Madeha

Learning
 We learn new behavior through classical or operant
conditioning (collectively known as 'learning theory’).
 Learning is an essential aspect of psychology as it helps us
understand how humans acquire new knowledge, skills, and
behaviors. Without learning, we would not be able to adapt to
our environment, solve problems, or communicate effectively
with others. In fact, learning is so fundamental to human
behavior that it is often considered the cornerstone of
psychology.
 Moreover, studying learning can
provide insights into a wide range of
psychological phenomena, such as
memory, perception, motivation, and
emotion. By examining how people
learn, psychologists can better
understand how the brain processes
information, how individuals differ in
their learning abilities, and how
learning can be optimized for
different populations, such as
students or patients with cognitive
impairments.
 Types of Learning
 Classical conditioning is a type of learning where a neutral stimulus
becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus, resulting in a
behavioral response. For example, Pavlov's experiments with dogs
showed that they could be conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell
because it had been repeatedly paired with food.
 Operant conditioning involves learning through consequences, such as
rewards or punishments. In this type of learning, behaviors are
strengthened or weakened based on their outcomes. For instance, a
child might learn to clean their room regularly if they receive praise
from their parents for doing so.
 Observational learning occurs when individuals learn by watching
others perform a behavior and experiencing its consequences. This
type of learning is often used in socialization, where children learn how
to behave by observing and imitating adults around them.
 Factors Affecting Learning
 Learning is a complex process that can be influenced by a variety of factors. One of the most
important factors is motivation. Motivation can be defined as the driving force behind behavior.
When individuals are motivated to learn, they are more likely to engage in the learning process and
retain information. On the other hand, lack of motivation can lead to disinterest and poor learning
outcomes.
 Another factor that can impact learning is attention. Attention refers to the ability to focus on
relevant stimuli while ignoring distractions. Individuals who have difficulty with attention may
struggle to learn new information, as they may become distracted or overwhelmed by irrelevant
information. Therefore, it is important for educators to create an environment that promotes
attention and minimizes distractions.
 Memory is also a critical factor in the learning process. Memory refers to the ability to encode, store,
and retrieve information. Individuals with good memory skills are better able to learn and retain new
information. However, memory can be impacted by a variety of factors, such as stress, sleep
deprivation, and aging. Therefore, it is important for individuals to engage in practices that promote
good memory, such as getting enough sleep and managing stress levels.
TYPES:
Learning by Associaton or Classical Behaviorism involves two types of
conditioning:

I. Classical Conditioning
II. Operant Conditioning
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Classical Conditioning:
 Classical conditioning involves the association/use of a stimulus -- such as
the bell in Pavlov's experiments -- that is paired with a reward, resulting in
salivation in the expectation of receiving food.
 Over repeated trials, the conditioned stimulus (BELL) causes learning.
 By contrast, repeated instances without the reward lead to extinction of the
behavior.
 When the conditioned stimulus, the ringing of the bell, happens before the
reward, the person or the animal has time to figure out that the bell ringing
means something and learn or form an association.
Two types of stimulus
 Unconditioned Stimulus

 The conditioned stimulus or UCS is the object or event that originally produces
the unconditioned and natural response.
 Conditioned stimulus:

 The conditioned stimulus is like a neutral stimulus that has no response till the
time it gets associated with the unconditioned stimulus, eventually trigger a
conditioned response.
Two types of response
 Unconditioned response

 An uncondiotioned response is an unlearned response that occurs naturally in

reaction to the unconditioned stimulus.

 Conditioned response

 A response we get when we train something with a neutral or considered response.

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Simple Flow Chart
Before Conditioning:

 Presentation of food (Unconditioned Stimulus)--------response of dog

i.e salivation ( Unconditioned Response)

After Conditioning (introduction/Association of bell):

 Ringing of the bell (conditioned Stimulus)--------response of dog i.e.

salivation (Conditioned response)
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Operant Conditioning:
 Operant conditioning, from psychologist B.F. Skinner's experiments, involves
the use of a schedule of reinforcements, or rewards, and punishments until
the behavior is learned.
 For instance, if the dog were to hear the bell and step on a lever, it would receive
the dog biscuit, the reward i.e to make learn a desireable behavior.
 Alternatively, punishment, by contrast, would be to take away something, such
as a biscuit, if the dog barks i.e, to unlearn an undesireable behavior.
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