Learning
A. Nature vs NurtureÖ
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Both Nature and Nurture determine who
you are, what you do and can do, what you know and can know.
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My perspective: Nature is first nurtureÖ
B. Learning as long a term-change in the
potential for behavior resulting from experience.
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This definition "points to an area of
interest." It is useful but not perfectly precise.
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We will find three types: Non-associative,
Pavlovian Conditioning, Operant Conditioning -- and I will later talk of
Observational learning, Transfer of training, and Learning Self-Control
as well.
C. The terms in this definition:
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Behavior -- the things you do (muscles,
glands, neurons) -- agree with Paul -- this is the key term here.
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but "Potential for behavior" as well since
behavior is always determined by the current situation as well as past
experience -- and different situations will reveal different outcomes of
that experience (learning-performance distinction). Changed brain has new
potentials.
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Long-term change (hence does not include
short term changes such as priming, brief memories, fatigue). It's got
to last for at least days and maybe weeks or years to be called learning.
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Experience ("2.a. Active participation
in events or activities" Am Her. Dict.) -- we don't mean things like a
blow to the head, a stroke, taking a drug that kills nerve cells.
D. Change in reactivity as an example
of simple learning (Non-associative Learning)
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Repeated presentation of a stimulus produces
an enduring change in your reactivity to that stimulus.
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Habituation
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Sensitization
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Example with human infants: Time looking
at a picture decreases with repeated presentations. Pitchr
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Example with startle response...
including both habituation and dishabituation.
