Learning Paper
Running Head: Learning
Learning Paper
Sandra Allen
January 31, 2011
Psych. 550 Psychology of Learning
Dr. Terri Edwards
Many psychologists have had debates with the concept of learning. Nature versus nurture is two concepts that many psychologists have argued over. Learning is a cause of someone’s change in behavior through experience, practice, and skills. In this paper, the subjects to describe is, the concept of learning, distinguishing between learning and performance, and finally compare and contrasting the conceptual approaches to the study of learning.
Concept of Learning Learning has many definitions. Learning is the process of knowledge through education, observation, teaching, and past and present experiences for individuals (humans or animals). According to Terry (2009), “learning is the acquisition of knowledge and may be defined as a relatively permanent change in behavior, or behavioral repertoire that occurs as a result of experience” (p. 5). According to Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction (1999), “Learning is complex, transformational, natural, and life-long, multi-level, fundamentally personal, yet also social, active and interactive, measurable, and greatly influenced by organizational factors, including structures” (p. 3). As mentioned before, nature versus nurture has been a big debate. The nature theory is that humans’ behavior is biologically encoded in human DNA. Psychologists believe that humans are preprogrammed from birth. The nurture theory believes that human behavior learned thru life experiences. Humans learn behavior from what they do, read, and observe. I believe that both influence humans’ behavior. Humans learn behavior from life experiences, and through educating themselves. Learning is an ongoing process that humans endure. Learning is based on different knowledge that humans have acquired over the years. Learning happens when a person develops new abilities, values, preferences, and
Learning Paper
Sandra Allen
January 31, 2011
Psych. 550 Psychology of Learning
Dr. Terri Edwards
Many psychologists have had debates with the concept of learning. Nature versus nurture is two concepts that many psychologists have argued over. Learning is a cause of someone’s change in behavior through experience, practice, and skills. In this paper, the subjects to describe is, the concept of learning, distinguishing between learning and performance, and finally compare and contrasting the conceptual approaches to the study of learning.
Concept of Learning Learning has many definitions. Learning is the process of knowledge through education, observation, teaching, and past and present experiences for individuals (humans or animals). According to Terry (2009), “learning is the acquisition of knowledge and may be defined as a relatively permanent change in behavior, or behavioral repertoire that occurs as a result of experience” (p. 5). According to Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction (1999), “Learning is complex, transformational, natural, and life-long, multi-level, fundamentally personal, yet also social, active and interactive, measurable, and greatly influenced by organizational factors, including structures” (p. 3). As mentioned before, nature versus nurture has been a big debate. The nature theory is that humans’ behavior is biologically encoded in human DNA. Psychologists believe that humans are preprogrammed from birth. The nurture theory believes that human behavior learned thru life experiences. Humans learn behavior from what they do, read, and observe. I believe that both influence humans’ behavior. Humans learn behavior from life experiences, and through educating themselves. Learning is an ongoing process that humans endure. Learning is based on different knowledge that humans have acquired over the years. Learning happens when a person develops new abilities, values, preferences, and
References: CliffNotes.com Influencing learning and performance. 31 Jan 2011. http://www.cliffnotes.com/study_guide/topicArticlel-25438,articleld-25353.html. Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction (MCLI). (1999). What is learning? Retrieved on January 30, 2010, from [pic]http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/learning/pubs/oct97/[pic] what_is [pic].html[pic] Terry, W.S. (1999). Learning and memory: Basic principles, processes, and procedures. (4 th ed.) Allyn and Bacon 1 2 3 4 5