Learning Theory

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the three major learning theories that exist that help to explain the acquisition of knowledge and the process of learning. It focuses on behaviorist learning or classical conditioning, operant or instrumental learning and social learning theory. The paper explains each theory and then discusses how they are all related to each other.

From the Paper:

"Once again, one should not think of these three learning theories as separate entities that are not related. Human behavior, especially, is too complex to fall into specific categories. There are always shades of gray and overlapping from one form of learning to another or a combination of learning forms. The early considerations of classical and operant theories continue to have a major influence on the thoughts behind learning and to be applied to everyday issues, from phobias of crossing bridges to inappropriate behavior in public libraries, to aggressive behavior toward people who look or act different from the norm. Some learning is cause-and-effect, some is instrumental and some is socially learned cognitively through observation, or variations there of."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bandura, A. (1967) The role of modeling personality development. In C.Lavatelli & F. Stendler (Eds.)., Readings in childhood and development (pg. 334-343). New York: Harcourt Brace./
• ________ (1971) Social Learning Theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
• Berstein, I.L. (1991). Aversion conditioning in response to cancer and cancer treatment. Clinical Psychology Review 11: 185-191.
• Bovbjreg, D., Redd, W.H., Maier, L.H., Holland, J.C., Leske, L.M., Niedzwiecki, D., Rubin, S.C., and Herkes, T.B. (1990) Anticipatory immune suppression and nausea in women receiving chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 58, 153-157.
• Larkin, K., Manuck, S. and Kasprowicz, A. (1990) The effect of feedback-assisted reduction in heart rate reactivity on videogame performance. Biofeedback and Self Regulation, 15, 285-303.

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