Learning Theories and Conditioning

Study Notes

Learning is defined as a long-lasting change in behavior, skills, knowledge, or attitudes resulting from life experiences.
Teachers see learning primarily in the context of school and classrooms.
Teachers see learning as related to curriculum content, academic achievement, sequencing, student preparedness, and the ability to transfer learning to new situations.

Educational psychology divides learning theories into those focused on changes in behaviour and changes in thinking.
Behaviorism focuses on observable behavior changes.
There are two major models of behavioral learning: respondent and operant conditioning.

Deals with involuntary responses to particular stimuli (sights, sounds, sensations).
Was first studied by Russian scientist, Ivan Pavlov.
Pavlov used dogs to study salivation responses.
Initially, dogs salivated when presented with food.
Dogs learned to associate Pavlov's presence with food.
Dogs began salivating when they saw Pavlov.

Extinction is the process where a conditioned response fades when the conditioned stimulus occurs without the unconditioned stimulus over time, as shown by Pavlov's dogs ceasing to salivate without food.
Extinction – the disappearance of the link between a conditioned stimulus and its conditioned response.
Generalization is the phenomenon where a conditioned response to a specific stimulus also occurs in response to similar stimuli. For example, a dog trained to associate a bell with food may salivate at different bells or tones, illustrating the adaptive nature of behavior to environmental cues.
Discrimination involves unfair treatment of individuals or groups due to characteristics like race, gender, age, religion, or disability. It creates systemic inequality, social exclusion, and restricted opportunities, highlighting the need to understand its roots for promoting social justice and equality.