Introduction to Learning
All workshops are in Arts Building Lecture room 5. Need textbook - read
chapters 1 and 2.
What is learning?
A relatively permanent change in behaviour as a result of experience
OR a relatively permanent change in the capacity of behaviour as a
result of experience.
Learning is selective. A change in behaviour in the face of particular
kinds of experience.
There are multiple types of learning e.g. associative vs. non
associative.
Do all animals learn?
Almost certainly even simple biological systems change behaviour
according to the environment.
What is behaviourism?
A natural science approach that focuses on how the environment
influences observable behaviour (e.g. learning).
Classical conditioning (Associative learning) – process where inborn
behaviours are involuntarily brought out in new circumstances.
Operant conditioning (Associative learning) – the behaviour is
strengthened or weakened depending on the consequence or as a
result of the consequence.
Observational learning (Associative learning) – vicarious conditioning –
learning through watching others.
Historical background
Plato and Aristotle
PLATO - thought all human knowledge was present at birth. When we
saw changes in behaviour it was because the soul was remembering
previous experiences. Assumes a person’s abilities are largely present
at birth.
All workshops are in Arts Building Lecture room 5. Need textbook - read
chapters 1 and 2.
What is learning?
A relatively permanent change in behaviour as a result of experience
OR a relatively permanent change in the capacity of behaviour as a
result of experience.
Learning is selective. A change in behaviour in the face of particular
kinds of experience.
There are multiple types of learning e.g. associative vs. non
associative.
Do all animals learn?
Almost certainly even simple biological systems change behaviour
according to the environment.
What is behaviourism?
A natural science approach that focuses on how the environment
influences observable behaviour (e.g. learning).
Classical conditioning (Associative learning) – process where inborn
behaviours are involuntarily brought out in new circumstances.
Operant conditioning (Associative learning) – the behaviour is
strengthened or weakened depending on the consequence or as a
result of the consequence.
Observational learning (Associative learning) – vicarious conditioning –
learning through watching others.
Historical background
Plato and Aristotle
PLATO - thought all human knowledge was present at birth. When we
saw changes in behaviour it was because the soul was remembering
previous experiences. Assumes a person’s abilities are largely present
at birth.
