Chapter 20, Problem 1MM

Summary Introduction

Concept 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 the process and retain the knowledge.

Answer to Problem 1MM

Correct answer: Learning is defined as “the process of acquiring knowledge through new experiences and relatively enduring information or behaviors.”

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 lifetime; many 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.