Learning Paper

Learning Paper

Temeshia T. Jordan

Learning Paper Even though there are many debates concerning the concept of learning, current arguments between psychologists suggest that nurture versus nature are two concepts extremely important in human development. The following paper will define the concept of learning and distinguish between learning and performance. Next, I will compare and contrast the conceptual approaches to the study of learning. In closing, the major points throughout the paper will be highlighted.
Concept of Learning Learning is the process by which individual’s acquire knowledge through education, observations, past or present experiences, and individual teaching. According to Terry (2009), learning is the acquisition of knowledge and learning may be defined as a relatively permanent change in behavior, or behavioral repertoire that occurs as a result of experience. The nature versus nurture controversy of learning is one approach to learning that has brought several debates among psychologist. The nature theory of human behavior suggest that learning is a biological function that we are automatically born with, whereas the nurture theory asserts that human development is acquired or learned through life experiences. According to Mark (2009), most schools are organized as if nature has already won the contest. The author suggests that both theories are influential in human growth and how we describe ourselves when it comes to individual knowledge and understanding. Psychologists believe that knowledge is a process of conscious awareness and must not only include verbal interaction but also skills, attitudes, and behaviors outside of the conscious arena (Terry, 2009). Learning and psychology go hand in hand. Learning brings together the psychological influences, including cognitive, environmental, and emotional influences to enhance his or her individual knowledge and skill through the study of four different learning approaches, which will be discussed later in the paper.
Learning and Performance There is not much difference when comparing learning with performance. Learning is the process of acquiring new knowledge, information, values, behaviors, and understanding. Learning may occur as a result of classical conditioning, which is seen in most animal groups and may occur consciously with or without awareness. However, children do not need to be made to learn because each is born with the sense of curiosity (Holt, 1983). Performance, on the other hand, is how well he or she does what they learned or the act of behaving in a particular way for another group of people. Normally a well-rounded individual can’t have proper performance without learning important information on what it is all about. As performance is mastered on a general level, so is learning, and understanding of exposed stimuli.
Conceptual Approaches to Learning Previous studies have concluded that there are four approaches to the study of learning: functional (focuses on learning and different memory techniques across species), behavioral (focuses on relationships among behaviors that are observable in a setting that is uncontrolled), cognitive (learning that is obtained through computer influence), and neuroscience (focuses on the biological influences for learning and memory (Terry, 2009). These different approaches allow us to better understand the learning process, memory storage, and knowledge concept. No matter what approach he or she take to understand the components of learning, knowledge is obtain through acquired information, education, training, values, behaviors, and personal understanding.
Conclusion
The concept of learning has brought forth many theories, including the nature versus nurture controversy concept of learning. In this paper, the concept of learning was defined while providing him or her with a contrast and comparison of performance to learning. Learning was shown to be a concept of acquiring new knowledge, information, values, behaviors, and understanding. However, performance was defined as being how well he or she does what you’ve learned while intertwining one with the other. Four approaches to learning were discussed: functional, behavioral, cognitive, and neuroscience. Each approach allows an individual better to understand how the learning process works while analyzing the need for all four individual influences.

References

Holt, John (1983). How Children Learn. UK: Penguin Books. ISBN 0140225706,

Marks, S. U. (2009, November). Nature vs. Nurture in Special Education. Phi Delta Kappan,

91(3), 80.

Terry, W.S. (2009). Learning and memory: Basic principles, processes, and procedures (4th ed.). Boston: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon.

References: Holt, John (1983). How Children Learn. UK: Penguin Books. ISBN 0140225706, Marks, S. U. (2009, November). Nature vs. Nurture in Special Education. Phi Delta Kappan, 91(3), 80. Terry, W.S. (2009). Learning and memory: Basic principles, processes, and procedures (4th ed.). Boston: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon.