Class notes on the Introduction to Learning

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.