Learning
Definition
• It is acquiring of knowledge.
• Learning is the acquisition of habits, knowledge and
attitude. – Crow and Crow
• Learning is relatively permanent change in behaviour
brought about by experience - Rod Plotnik.
Nature & Characteristics
• Learning is a process.
• It involves all the experiences from birth to death:
produce change in behavior.
• Learning makes change in behavior either +ve or –ve.
Nature & Characteristics
• Learning prepares an individual for adjustment and
adaptation.
• All learning is purposeful and goal oriented.
• The scope of learning is too wide.
• Learning is universal and is continuous.
Types of Learning
• Motor Learning
• Verbal Learning
• Concept Learning
• Discrimination Learning
• Learning of Principles
• Attitude Learning
• Behavioural Learning
Motor Learning
• Our day to day activities like walking, running,
driving, etc, must be learnt for ensuring a good life.
• These activities to a great extent involve muscular
coordination.
Verbal Learning
• It is related with the language which we use to
communicate and various other forms of verbal
communication such as symbols, words, languages,
sounds, figures and signs.
Concept Learning
• This form of learning is associated with higher order
cognitive processes like intelligence, thinking,
reasoning, etc, which we learn right from our
childhood.
• Concept learning involves the processes of abstraction
and generalization, which is very useful for identifying or
recognizing things.
Learning of Principles
• Learning which is based on principles helps in
managing the work most effectively.
• Principles based learning explains the
relationship between various concepts.
Attitude Learning
Attitude shapes our behaviour to a very great
extent, as our positive or negative behaviour
is based on our attitudinal predisposition.
Behavioral Learning
• Behavioral learning has types:
• Associative learning: in which associations are made
between events that occur together
• Classical conditioning,
• Operant conditioning,
• Observational learning: learning by observing others.
Classical Conditioning
• Classical conditioning is a process by which we learn
to associate events, or stimuli, that frequently
happen together; as a result of this, we learn to
anticipate events.
• Ivan Pavlov conducted a famous study involving dogs
in which he trained (or conditioned) the dogs to
associate the sound of a bell with the presence of a
piece of meat. The conditioning is achieved when the
sound of the bell on its own makes the dog salivate
in anticipation for the meat.
Operant Conditioning
• Operant conditioning is the learning process by which behaviors are
reinforced or punished, thus strengthening or extinguishing a
response.
• Edward Thorndike coined the term “law of effect,” in which
behaviors that are followed by consequences that are satisfying to
the organism are more likely to be repeated, and behaviors that are
followed by unpleasant consequences are less likely to be repeated.
• B. F. Skinner researched operant conditioning by
conducting experiments with rats in what he called a
“Skinner box.”
Observational learning
• Observational learning occurs through observing
the behaviors of others and imitating those
behaviors
• Bandura noticed that children often learn
through imitating adults, and he tested his theory
using his famous Bobo-doll experiment.
Factors That Influence Learning
Two factors that influence learning are
1. Factors Associated with Leaner and
2. Factors Related to Learning Process
3. Physiological Factors
Factors Associated With Learner
1. Motivation:
2. Readiness and will power:
3. Ability of the learner:
4. Level of aspiration and achievement:
5. Attention:
6. General health condition of the learner:
7) Maturation of the learner:
Factors Related to Learning Process
1. Methods of learning:
a. Part v/s whole method
b. Spaced v/s un-spaced method
c. Recitation v/s repetition
2. Over learning:
3. Knowledge of results as feedback:
4. Good physical atmosphere:
Physiological Factors
1. Sense-perception:
2. Physical Health:
3. Fatigue:
4. Time of Learning:
5. Food and Drink:
6. Atmospheric conditions:
7. Age: