Learning Theory

Thomas G. Bowers, Ph.D.

Penn State Harrisburg

2000

What is learning?

• Change in cognitive events?

• Demonstration of understanding?

• Change in behavior?

Learning

• Root means “track” or “furrow”

• Verb “last” (to endure) comes from same root

• Kimble - “A relatively permanent change in behavior resulting from experience.”

• General inadequacies in this definition

Behavioral Point of View

• Does not exclude aspects of human behavior such as thinking, imaging and feeling.

• Assumes the forces that control behavior lie in the environment.

• Some effort devoted to understanding behavior, as well as cognition.

Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology

• Study of the mind or the study of behavior?

• Behaviorist does not dispute the existence of thoughts and feelings, but criticizes the use of these constructs as causes of behavior.

How to Explain Behavior?

• Rank responses in terms of relative frequency?

• Organize around descriptive conditions?– Antecedents– Behaviors– Consequences

• Properties of stimulus and response?