Psychologists Define Learning as the Process of: Understanding the Mechanisms of Change
Psychologists define learning as the process of acquiring new knowledge, behaviors, skills, or attitudes through experience, study, or instruction. While it may seem like a simple concept, learning is actually a complex, lifelong neurological and psychological phenomenon that shapes how we interact with the world. At its core, learning is not just about memorizing facts for an exam; it is the fundamental mechanism by which organisms adapt to their environments and evolve their capabilities over time.
The Essence of Learning: Beyond Simple Memorization
To understand how learning works, we must first distinguish it from biological maturation. Even so, for example, a child growing taller is undergoing a biological process of maturation, which is programmed by genetics. Even so, a child learning to ride a bicycle is undergoing learning, which requires interaction with the environment and practice.
In psychology, learning is viewed as a relatively permanent change in behavior or mental associations resulting from experience. Think about it: this definition is crucial because it highlights three specific elements:
- Now, Change: There must be a noticeable shift in how an individual acts or thinks. 2. Relatively Permanent: The change must last over time. If you learn a phone number but forget it ten seconds later, true learning (in the cognitive sense) has not yet stabilized.
- Experience: The change must come from interacting with the world, whether through sensory input, social interaction, or trial and error.
Major Psychological Perspectives on Learning
Psychologists have approached the study of learning through various lenses, each offering a unique perspective on how we transform experience into lasting change.
1. Behaviorism: The Focus on Observable Actions
In the early 20th century, behaviorists like B.F. Skinner and John B. Watson argued that psychology should only study what can be seen and measured. To a behaviorist, learning is a change in observable behavior resulting from a response to stimuli. They identified through reinforcement.
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response.
