Learning Mechanisms in Psychology

Learning mechanisms are patterns or frameworks in which learning is processed by the brain and how a person subsequently behaves. Adaptation, associative learning, chunking and incremental reading are types of learning mechanisms that psychologists define as working cognitive models of the learning process. According to the Nebraska Symposium on Motivation, Schneider's hybrid model illustrates associative and priority learning as the main types of learning mechanisms.

Associative Learning

• According to the Nebraska Symposium on Motivation, associative learning occurs before priority learning takes place. Associative learning involves a person making connections as to how information suggests or solicits a response deemed appropriate by the observer. For example, a person learns to associate red octagon shapes with a command to stop. Information presented on a restaurant sign stating, "please wait to be seated," is interpreted as a suggestion for obedience.

Priority Learning

• Priority learning associates information with its order of importance. In priority learning, a person determines what is an appropriate response to an event in which the person places a defined value on an excepted outcome. For example, a person learns money-saving strategies by prioritizing in order of importance how their money is spent. A person also learns to recognize that the success of a savings plan is specific to how their spending priorities are arranged.

Adaptation Learning

• Adaptation learning is learning how to more effectively interact, engage and overcome a circumstance. It involves such behaviors as reward-punishment stimulus, trial-and-error analysis and the ability to learn and apply new information efficiently. An example would be learning how to polish your resume and professional appearance in response to unsuccessful attempts to land a job. The resulting changes eventually result in gaining employment.

Chunking

• Chunking incorporates various learning mechanisms and is a strategy designed to better use short-term memory. In chunking, a person categorizes, organizes and become familiar with information in ways that make the information easier to manage. For example, when memorizing the number "05251993," a person might group the numbers into smaller and familiar manageable units that resemble a date, "05-25-1993"

Incremental Reading

• Incremental reading involves portioning reading material into smaller, more manageable sections. An incremental reading strategy customizes the material to the attention span of the reader. This allows the reader to incorporate substantial amounts of information, section-by-section, into long-term memory, Otherwise the material could be overwhelming to the reader. For example, a child might read only one sentence and follow that with a discussion about its meaning before continuing to the next sentence.