Introduction to Psychology of Learning - Lecture Slides

Introduction to Psychology of Learning Dr. RICHMOND ACQUAH-COLEMAN DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY  Lecture objectives  Understand basic definitions of learning  Differentiate between learning, knowledge & performance  Be able to explain why animals are use...

Introduction to Psychology of Learning Dr. RICHMOND ACQUAH-COLEMAN DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY  Lecture objectives  Understand basic definitions of learning  Differentiate between learning, knowledge & performance  Be able to explain why animals are used in learning experiments  Defining Learning  So what is learning?  Think of how a child goes from just giggling to using complex language  Or reflect on how you became a bicycle rider  These scenarios are different but occur through the process of learning  Some psychologists believe that all human behaviours are learnt  In order to understand these behaviours, we must understand what learning is and how it occurs  Defining Learning  For centuries, psychologists and scholars in other disciplines have been interested in how humans and other organisms learn  This interest ties in with our quest to understand and influence behavior. However:  There continues to be challenges in establishing a single, universally accepted definition of learning  Over the years, various scholars have given their ideas of how the concept of learning can be defined:  Defining Learning Hall (2003): “Learning refers to the process by which an animal (human or non-human) interacts with its environment and becomes changed by this experience so that its subsequent behavior is modified” 2. Breedlove et al, (2007) “The process of acquiring new and relatively enduring information, behavior patterns or ability characterized by modification of behavior as a result of practice, study or experience Mazur (2013): “Learning is a process of change that occurs as a result of an individual’s experience” Psyc Central (2018): “…Learning can be defined as the process leading to a relatively permanent behavioral change or potential behavioural change…” See: Baron et al (2015). Embracing multiple definitions of learning. for a list of other definitions given by scholars from different discipline.  Defining learning  The most commonly used definitions of learning in psychology: Mayer (2009) “Learning is a relatively permanent change in a person’s knowledge or behavior due to experience” Or Lahey (2012). “any relatively permanent change in behaviour brought about through experience”  The various definitions show certain key characteristics or components of learning that scholars agree on.  These components or characteristics are often referred to as attributes of learning  Attributes of learning 1. Learning is a process: Learning occurs over time and follows a process and is not a single event. It begins from somewhere. E.g. One event and continues before actual learning occurs 2. Change due to learning is long-term, not short- term The phrases “enduring” and “relatively permanent” used in the definitions mean that the change that occurs during learning lasts longer compared to other changes in the individual that  Attributes of learning 3. The learning process may not be directly observable: The actual learning process may not be directly observable because the acquisition and storage of information are internal processes. The organism learns alright but we see no change in behaviour immediately until it is required. 4. Experience causes the change The change in behavior is not evident/ does not occur until the individual goes through a prior experience. Therefore, the cause of the change is the learner’s experience in the environment rather than fatigue, motivation, drugs, physical condition or physiological intervention.  Attributes of learning 5. The change in behavior desirable/ undesirable: Learning results in a change in behavior. This change may be intentional or unintentional and could be for better or for worse. The new behavior could be a desirable one or an undesirable one. Eg. Vomiting after eating a food and feeling disgusted on seeing that food after this episode Home work:  Relevance of learning Class activity: In the next 5 minutes write down five points explaining why learning is important to human life Discuss your points with the person next Learning, knowledge, performance  Learning, knowledge, performance Learning: The process through which behavior is changed due to experience. Knowledge: Information obtained through experience that is stored in the brain Performance: Actions demonstrated with the aid of the information obtained through experience Approaches to the study of learning  Approaches to studying learning  Different psychologists have used different approaches to study learning based on their orientation  Three of such approaches are:  Behavioural Approach  Cognitive Approach  Biological/Neuropsychological Approach  Approaches to studying learning Behavioral Approach:  Earliest approach to studying how organisms learn  Believe learning occurs through stimulus- response mechanism  Emphasizes relationships between :  Observable Behaviors  The antecedent stimuli that precede behavior  The consequences that follow the behavior Methodological approach:  Animal/human experimentation and observation  Approaches to studying learning  Cognitive approach:  Focuses on the role of cognition in the stimulus- response mechanism  Believe that cognitive interpretation of stimuli produces eventual learnt behaviour  Argues that organisms form mental/internal representation of stimuli, process it, before exhibiting a changed or unchanged behaviour Methodological approach:  Animal/human experimentation with cognitive inference  Approaches to studying learning Biological/ Neuropsychological approach:  Focuses on underlying biological basis for learning and memory.  The goal here is to discover the biological events/processes that take place to produce learning Eg. Changes that occur in the nervous system when learning occurs Methodological approach: Brain imaging techniques, surgical procedures using mainly animals  Using animals to understand learning  Animals and the study of learning  Animals have been the main experimental subjects in learning experiments  This is because of Practical and Ethical reasons: Practical Reasons:  Darwin’s theory of evolution:  Human beings evolved from animals  The genetic heritage, history, and environmental experiences of animals can be easily controlled and manipulated.  Humans have a higher tendency to alter their behaviour when they know they are in an experiment.  Studying how animals learn can help identify principles that can be applied to human learning.  Animals and the study of learning  Structure & functions of the central nervous system:  There is scientific evidence showing that the structure and functions of the CNS are similar in humans and some animals. Mora-Bermúdez et al (2016): Cytoarchitecture, cell type composition, and neurogenic gene expression programs are remarkably similar between humans and chimpanzees  A large degree of difference between humans and chimps is down to cell numbers and structural sizes  This means that brains of some animals function similar to that of humans and can be used to understand brain mechanisms underlying learning in humans.  Goals of psychology  Frans de Waal (2005): "We are apes in every way, from our long arms and tailless bodies to our habits and temperament."  For their own sakes/ to understand them better:  Studying animals helps psychologists understand animal learning and behavior  Helps understand their needs to help improve their wellbeing e.g. studies involving dogs have helped improve their co-existence with humans in a friendly environment and animal studies help zoo keepers to know how to handle them. Raging debate: why do sharks attack humans? Mistaken identity or threat perception?  Animals and the study of learning  Cost of research:  All research come at a cost in terms of resources and logistics. Using animals instead of humans could be cheaper in this regard.  Ethical Reasons:  To avoid causing harm to humans through experimentation Certain research procedures involve a significant risk of harm to participants. E.g. testing the effects of a new drug on learning. To avoid causing harm to humans, animals are used as an alternative. Minimal ethical requirements Using animals require less ethical requirements than using humans. Eg. There is no need for informed consent. Animals and the study of learning HAVE A NICE DAY