Learning & The Learning Approach: How We Become Who We Are

The Learning Approach to psychology focuses on how we learn and change our behavior based on our experiences. Think of it like this: We are all like blank slates at birth, and our environment, experiences, and interactions "write" on that slate, shaping who we become. It emphasizes the importance of nurture over nature, suggesting that our personalities and behaviors are primarily shaped by our surroundings and what we are exposed to.

Key Principles of the Learning Approach:

-Associationism: This principle suggests that learning happens when we connect or associate two or more things together. For example, if you hear a song and then get a text message from your crush, you might start associating that song with your crush.

-Behaviorism: This branch of the Learning Approach focuses on observable behaviors and how they are learned through conditioning. This means that we learn through associations between stimuli and responses.

Types of Conditioning:

Classical Conditioning:

This involves learning through association of a neutral stimulus with a reflexive response. Think of Pavlov's famous experiment with dogs:

-Before Conditioning: The dog salivates (response) when presented with food (stimulus). The bell (neutral stimulus) doesn't cause salivation.

-During Conditioning: The bell is rung (neutral stimulus) right before the food is presented.

-After Conditioning: The dog learns to associate the bell with food. Now, the bell (now a conditioned stimulus) alone causes salivation (conditioned response).

Operant Conditioning:

This involves learning through the consequences of our behaviors. Think of it as "reward and punishment."

-Reinforcement: Encourages a behavior to continue by providing something positive (positive reinforcement) or removing something negative (negative reinforcement). Think of getting good grades (positive reinforcement) or finishing chores to avoid getting yelled at (negative reinforcement).

-Punishment: Discourages a behavior by providing something negative (positive punishment) or removing something positive (negative punishment). Think of getting grounded for breaking curfew (positive punishment) or losing phone privileges (negative punishment).

Real-World Examples of Learning:

-Phobias: Classical conditioning can explain how phobias develop. Imagine a child getting bitten by a dog (unconditioned stimulus) and experiencing fear (unconditioned response). The child then might develop a fear of all dogs (conditioned stimulus) because of the association.

-Training a Pet: Operant conditioning is used in training pets. When a dog performs a desired action, it receives a treat (positive reinforcement), encouraging it to repeat that action.

-Marketing: Companies use classical conditioning to create positive associations with their products. Think of a catchy jingle or a celebrity endorsement. The product becomes associated with positive feelings, making you more likely to purchase it.

Strengths of the Learning Approach:

-Focus on observable behaviors: This approach emphasizes objective observation and measurement, making it easier to study and research.

-Practical applications: The principles of learning have been applied to many areas, including therapy, education, and marketing.

Limitations of the Learning Approach:

-Oversimplification of human behavior: The approach sometimes ignores the importance of internal factors such as thoughts, feelings, and motivations.

-Lack of focus on individual differences: It doesn't always account for how different people might respond to similar stimuli or experiences.

-The study relies on the researcher's subjective observations: This could have introduced bias into the findings.

-Ethical concerns: The use of punishment in operant conditioning raises ethical concerns.

Conclusion:

The Learning Approach provides a valuable understanding of how we learn and change our behavior. While it has its limitations, its principles have had a significant impact on our understanding of human behavior and have been applied successfully in many areas of life.