The Role of Behavior and Cognition in Learning
The Role of Behavior and Cognition in Learning
Douglas J. Stacy
PSY/390 Learning and Cognition
March 05, 2012
Patty Anstatt
The Role of Behavior and Cognition in Learning Learning is an integral part of psychological development. Many perspectives exist concerning learning. Two areas of interest in psychology concerning learning are behavior and cognition. Two theories that explain fundamental learning is classical conditioning and operant conditioning. These two theories also show the correlations of learning and behavior. Theories concerning the relationship between cognition and learning are of particular interest in psychology. Some theorists believe behavioral changes are the direct results of learning because the effects learning have on behavior and the relationship of cognition concerning learning.
Defining learning and the role of behavior in learning The definition of learning has two aspects concerning behavior. First learning creates a permanent change in behavior comparatively. Second, learning is the behavioral potential that results from acquired experiences’. Variables such as illness, fatigue, and chemical substances will alter behavior. However, these factors are not conducive to the theory of relatively permanent behavioral changes and the potentiality for learning, which changes behavior. Learning cannot be measured easily because it purely a mental function. One can only observe the learning process through the behavioral changes that occur (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2009). Therefore, independent variables such as experience, which creates an intervening variable such as learning that produces dependent variables, which cause behavioral changes. Experiences are a result of environmental stimulus that many organisms process and adapt their behavior to meet their needs. With most organisms, this learning involves nothing more than learning what the environment has to offer in the form of basic needs such as food, water,
Douglas J. Stacy
PSY/390 Learning and Cognition
March 05, 2012
Patty Anstatt
The Role of Behavior and Cognition in Learning Learning is an integral part of psychological development. Many perspectives exist concerning learning. Two areas of interest in psychology concerning learning are behavior and cognition. Two theories that explain fundamental learning is classical conditioning and operant conditioning. These two theories also show the correlations of learning and behavior. Theories concerning the relationship between cognition and learning are of particular interest in psychology. Some theorists believe behavioral changes are the direct results of learning because the effects learning have on behavior and the relationship of cognition concerning learning.
Defining learning and the role of behavior in learning The definition of learning has two aspects concerning behavior. First learning creates a permanent change in behavior comparatively. Second, learning is the behavioral potential that results from acquired experiences’. Variables such as illness, fatigue, and chemical substances will alter behavior. However, these factors are not conducive to the theory of relatively permanent behavioral changes and the potentiality for learning, which changes behavior. Learning cannot be measured easily because it purely a mental function. One can only observe the learning process through the behavioral changes that occur (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2009). Therefore, independent variables such as experience, which creates an intervening variable such as learning that produces dependent variables, which cause behavioral changes. Experiences are a result of environmental stimulus that many organisms process and adapt their behavior to meet their needs. With most organisms, this learning involves nothing more than learning what the environment has to offer in the form of basic needs such as food, water,
References: B.F. Skinner Foundation . (2011, March). A Brief Survey of Operant Behavior. Retrieved March 22, 2011, from B.F. Skinner Foundation: Retrieved March 02, 2012 from http://www.bfskinner.org/BFSkinner/AboutSkinner.html Clark, R. E. (2004). The Classical Origins of Pavlov 's Conditioning Integrative Physiological & Behavioral Science, 39(4), 279-294 Retrieved March 02, 2012 from EBSCOHost Database Hergenhahn, B. R., & Olson, M. H. (2005) An introduction to theories of learning (7th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall Kirsch, I., Lynn, S.J. (2004) The role of cognition in classical and operant conditioning Journal of Clinical Psychology, 60(4), 369-392 doi:10.1002/jclp.10251 Retrieved March 02, 2012 from EBSCOHost Database