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behaviorism learning through direct interaction with the environment;motivation is often
the result of drives, internal states caused by a lack of something necessary for optimal
functioning. Consequences of behavior (reinforcement, punishment) are effective only to the
extent that they either increase or decrease a learner's drive state (Skinner, Watson, Thorndike)
social learning (cognitive) theory learning from observing one another; modeling;
environmental stimuli affect behavior; importance of self-efficacy; human behavior is typically
goal directed (Bandura)
self-efficacy extent to which a person believes they can successfully do a task
self-regulation taking charge of and directing own actions
information processing theory focuses on the cognitive processes involved in learning,
memory, and performance; human thinking is similar to how a computer works;
constructivism people create knowledge through observations and experience; people
combine much of what they learn into integrated bodies of knowledge and beliefs (schemas); by
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working together, two or more people can often gain better understandings than anyone could
gain alone (social constructivism)
sociocultural theory emphasize that the social, cultural, and historical contexts in which
children grow up have profound influences on thinking, learning, and effective instructional
practice; Because of their varying environments, historical circumstances, and needs, different
cultures have developed somewhat different ways of thinking, learning, and teaching
classical conditioning (Pavlov) when automatic and reflexive responses to stimuli become
associated with new stimuli that previously had no effect (When a conditioned stimulus (e.g., a
buzzer regularly paired with the puff of air) evokes a conditioned response (e.g., blinking),
learning has occurred)
operant conditioning (Skinner) occurs as a result of the consequences of behavior;
Behaviors that are reinforced are strengthened — they are repeated. Reinforcers can be positive
(e.g., presentation of a reward) or negative (e.g., removal of an aversive stimulus). Behaviors that
are punished are extinguished; punishments, too can be positive (e.g., presentation of an aversive
stimulus) or negative (removal of a positive stimulus)
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sensory register (short term memory) Component of memory that holds incoming
information in an unanalyzed form for a very brief time (perhaps one to two seconds)
working memory Component of memory that holds and actively thinks about and
processes a limited amount of information
long term memory Component of memory that holds knowledge and skills for a relatively
long time
semantic knowledge Knowledge of the meanings of words and word combinations
procedural knowledge Knowledge concerning how to do something (e.g., a skill)
how to move info into long term memory Rehearsal
Meaningful learning
Elaboration
Organization
Visual imagery