Chapter 15, Problem 1E

Summary Introduction

Introduction: Behavior is the capacity of an organism to learn through experience. Learning theories focus on the interactions between the personal, behavioral, and environmental factors that determine the behavior. This is used to describe a process and retain knowledge.

Answer to Problem 1E

Correct answer: Learning involves changes brought about by experience, whereas maturation describes changes resulting from biological development.

Explanation of Solution

The process of gaining information and behaviors through experience is called learning. Humans, animals, and even some machines have the capability to learn. Human learning starts before birth and continues till the end of their life; most of the interactions are with the environment.  If a response is associated with a particular stimulus, then it is called associative learning. Associative learning is facilitated by conditioning. The two main forms of conditioning are classical and operant conditioning. Classical conditioning is the involuntary response from the stimulus. The voluntary responses that are adapted by the environmental consequences that obtain benefits to the organism are collectively called operant conditioning. The important elements of learning process involve attention and focus, associations, emotions, and spaced repetitions. Thus, these elements influence the learning process that enhances knowledge and behavior.