Pioneered by Ivan Pavlov, this process involves learning through association . By repeatedly pairing a neutral stimulus (like a bell) with an unconditioned stimulus (like food), the neutral stimulus eventually triggers a conditioned response. In human terms, this explains how we develop emotional triggers, phobias, or even "gut feelings" about certain environments.
By the mid-20th century, the "Cognitive Revolution" argued that behaviorism was too simplistic because it ignored the "black box" of the human mind. Cognitive psychologists view learning as an . Psy 103 Learning Process
Central to this is , which likens the human brain to a computer. For learning to occur, information must move through three stages: Sensory Memory: Brief intake of surroundings. Working (Short-term) Memory: Where active thinking happens. Pioneered by Ivan Pavlov, this process involves learning
The most foundational theories of learning stem from , which focuses on observable actions rather than internal thoughts. This is divided into two main types: By the mid-20th century, the "Cognitive Revolution" argued
Where information is stored for future retrieval.
Albert Bandura bridged the gap between behaviorism and cognitivism with . He argued that humans do not need to experience a consequence directly to learn; we can learn by observing others .
At its core, the study of learning seeks to answer one fundamental question: How do we change? While early philosophers debated whether knowledge was innate or learned, modern psychology provides a structured framework through three dominant lenses: Behaviorism, Cognitive Theory, and Social Learning. 1. The Behavioral Perspective: Conditioning