Unit 6: Learning: 6.1 What is Learning?

reflexes

A reflex is a rapid, simple, and involuntary response to a stimulus.

In order to prove that learning has happened, it is necessary to __________. A. measure performance objectively and concretely B. repeat each learning event at least three times C. ask the subject if learning has actually occurred D. determine whether the correct process was followed

A. measure performance objectively and concretely

innate behavior

An innate behavior is a behavior that naturally occurs as a result of an automatic, inborn process. Learning, repetition, and practice are not necessary to perform innate behaviors.

All of the following are shaped by learned behavior except __________. A. shyness B. blinking C. biting one's nails D. angry responses

B. blinking

Which of the following is an example of a learned behavior? A. a bird feeding its young B. human toddlers walking C. a child recoiling from a hot stove D. squirrels opening nuts

B. human toddlers walking

examples of reflexes

Babies have a grasping reflex. They'll grasp whatever comes into their hands. It's an automatic function. Other reflexive behaviors include sneezing, drawing your hand away from a hot stove, and flinching.

Behavior that happens automatically without conscious input is called __________ behavior. A. learned B. organized C. innate D. spontaneous

C. innate

Which of the following actions does not require learning to occur? A. talking B. walking C. yawning D. running

C. yawning

consequences and rewards

Consequences and rewards can influence learning as well. If someone is punished for a certain behavior as a child, they may be more likely to refrain from that behavior as an adult versus someone who never received punishment for that particular behavior. An environment set up to promote critical evaluation and learning in children often leads to better reasoning and problem solving skills than an environment that doesn't promote learning. And lack of opportunities can limit one's understanding of ideas and concepts in life. Some behaviors automatically occur without conscious thought like learned fears or aversions to particular foods. You weren't born hating a particular food, but a bad experience might have led you to dislike it automatically in the future.

__________ is an example of a learned behavior. A. Breathing B. Sneezing C. Flinching D. Reading

D. Reading

The difference between an innate behavior and a learned behavior is that a learned behavior is __________ and an innate behavior is not. A. based on inborn responses B. instinctive C. based on reflexes D. a result of experience

D. a result of experience

The fact that sea turtles automatically move toward the ocean once hatched is an example of a(n) __________ behavior. A. unusual B. practiced C. learned D. innate

D. innate

True or False? Humans do not have innate behaviors.

False: Humans do have innate behaviors.

True or False? Sneezing is an example of a learned behavior.

False: Sneezing is an example of an innate behavior.

learned behavior

Learned behavior is a behavior that has been changed or modified as a result of a subject's experience, like learning how to ride a bike. Learning shapes many of our behaviors, like our personal habits, such as biting our nails or a lip, our personality traits, like we're anxious or shy, personal preferences, such as our likes or dislikes in movies and music, and our emotional responses, like the amount of frustration felt.

is learning always visible?

Learning can be invisible. Learning can still occur even if it's not shown. So for example, you can't tell whether these men know their math facts or the capital of Iowa if you're just looking at them. A demonstration is necessary for them to show their knowledge.

lesson objective describe what learning is

Learning is a relatively permanent change or modification of behavior that occurs as a result of experiential processes. For example, learning how to pull oneself up and stand on two feet. We know things like facts, such as names, locations, and times, and how to do things like how to walk, write, and speak.

demonstration and assessment of knowledge and learning

Learning must be demonstrated to be assessed. You cannot assess knowledge about demonstration, so you'll need something like a performance assessment. You may devise a way to test or assess if learning has occurred. So have you learned your multiplication tables? We might have you take a multiplication test to figure that out.

can behaviors be both innate and learned?

Many behaviors are complex, and they have both instinctive and learned components. For example, older locusts use less energy to fly than younger locusts. This fact suggests that although flying is instinctual, the locust has also learned a more efficient way to fly. Sleeping is an instinct that is shaped by environmental factors. So while sleeping is instinctive, how much and how well one sleeps is shaped by stuff that's going on in the environment.

lesson objective differentiate between innate and learned behaviors

Observable behavior can be classified into two categories, behavior that we learn from experience and from observing others, like how to ride a bike, and behavior that happens automatically, like our ability to yawn. In terms of observable behavior, you have innate, or instinctive behaviors, and learned behaviors.

variation in learning

Our shared knowledge could lead to a variation. For example, a child may know how to fish because it's a pastime of this family members, so it can influence how much information is retained in school if he's reading a book about fishing.

examples of innate behavior

So even if a squirrel was born in a lab and had never seen a nut before, the first time it encountered a nut, it would know how to open it. A rhesus monkey who sees a threatening picture of another rhesus monkey will show a submissive gesture. Humans will crawl once their bones and ligaments are strong enough. Sea turtles will automatically move toward the ocean once they are hatched. And humans are born with the ability to smile.

association in learning

That's the linking of two concepts or stimuli due to often being repeated together. Most learning takes place through association. So for example, volleyball players have learned that when one player sets the ball, they will have a chance to spike it. So when they see a player getting ready to set the ball, they prepare to spike it. Seeing another player act causes them to alter their behavior and act in a specific way, so it's a learned behavior. Here's another example of an association. We've learned to associate the walk sign or the white stick figure with safety of our environment. So when we see the sign, we walk. Variations in experience can lead to variations in learning.

True or False? Both learned and innate behavior can occur as a result of automatic processes.

True

True or False? Observable behaviors include both learned behaviors and instinctive behaviors.

True

True or False? Sleeping is a behavior that is dependent on both instinctive and environmental conditions.

True

True or False? The types of movies that one likes is influenced by learned behaviors.

True

True or False Learning can be both positive and negative.

True. Individuals can learn healthy or unhealthy behaviors. Some positive behaviors that could be learned are being kind to others or taking responsibility for one's behavior. Negative behaviors that can be learned are unhealthy coping strategies, such as using alcohol or drugs to cope with problems to the point of interfering with healthy behavior. Or prejudice and chronically being late can also be learned.