Models of Learning in Psychology

Psychologists have long studied the various methods by which animals and humans learn. These methods can be conscious or unconscious, and influenced by both outside factors and self-interest. Currently, three learning models are the most widely recognized and used: classical conditioning, operant conditioning and observational learning.

Learning Theories

• The process of learning has been one of psychology's key interests since it was developed. Two main theories, which most models fall under, are behaviorism and cognitive theory. Behaviorism includes schools of thought pertaining to learning through conditioning, often involving a stimulus and a response. Cognitive theory covers ideas regarding the brain used as a memory-processing center. Both theories hold numerous sub-theories and models. Below are the three most commonly recognized learning models used in psychology.

Classical Conditioning

• Classical conditioning is a behaviorist model that was made famous by Ivan Pavlov in the late 19th century. The basics behind this model involve stimuli and responses. Unconditioned stimuli (US) are things that naturally or instinctively induce an unconditioned response (UR) in the subject, whereas a conditioned stimulus (CS) is something that creates a conditioned response (CR) through associations to the US. Pavlov used dogs and their salivary responses to test this model. The dogs naturally salivated (UR) in the presence of meat (US). Pavlov began to ring a bell prior to serving the meat. The bell (CS) was soon associated with the meat and the dogs began to salivate (CR) even before the meat was presented to them.

Operant Conditioning

• Like classical conditioning, operant conditioning also falls under behaviorism; however, this learning model creates associations between behaviors and consequences. Any consequence that strengthens a behavior is known as a reinforcer; consequences that weaken a behavior are known as punishers. The presence or addition of something is termed as positive, whereas taking something away is termed as negative. There are essentially four possible consequences in any situation. "Positive reinforcement" occurs when something good is presented and the behavior increases. "Negative punishment" occurs when something good is taken away and the behavior decreases. When something bad is presented thus decreasing a behavior, "positive punishment" occurs. "Negative reinforcement" is when something bad is taken away so that the behavior increases.

  Operant conditioning was made famous by B.F. Skinner, who tested this model on small animals, which were placed in a box that contained a lever. One result of his experiment was the animals learned they could receive food by pressing the lever. This fell under positive reinforcement because something good was given and the frequency of the behavior (pressing the lever) increased.

Observational Learning

• Observational learning, also known as social learning theory, falls under cognitive theory. It signifies learning a behavior by observing others and copying their behavior. According to this model, the observer will likely imitate behaviors that appear attractive or desirable as well as those that generate rewards.

  This learning model consists of four processes. First, the observer must be aware of his surroundings (attention). He must then be able to recognize and remember the behavior at a later time (retention). Ideally, the observer should be able to produce or attempt to produce the act (production), but he will likely perform the behavior only if he has a reason to do so (motivation). Children are particularly susceptible to this type of learning, as shown by Albert Bandura's famous Bobo Doll Experiment. In this experiment, he observed the behavior of children placed in a room alone with peaceful toys in one corner and a Bobo Doll and a mallet in another corner. Children who had been exposed to violent behavior exhibited this by approaching the Bobo Doll and beating it with the mallet.

Other Models

• There are a variety of other models that have stemmed off from the three main models or have been placed directly under the two theories of behaviorism and cognitive theory. Multimedia learning, enculturation (learning behaviors from a new surrounding culture), rote learning (memorization) and formal education all fall under the cognitive theory, with enculturation being closely related to observational learning. Other models of behaviorism include the development of habits and sensitization.