Abstract
There are a great many definitions of learning, with most emphasizing that it is basically a relatively permanent change in behaviour that occurs as the result of practice. Within this framework, there are two main divisions: first, there is CONDITIONING or associative learning. This is sometimes called ‘habit formation’ and is ‘the acquiring of a connection between a stimulus and a response that did not exist before’. Associative learning is sub-divided into the classical conditioning of Pavlov and the instrumental or operant conditioning of first Thorndike, then Hull, and currently Skinner.
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References
Bryan, W.L. and Harter, N. (1899) Studies on the telegraphic language: the acquisition of a hierarchy of habits. Psychological Review, 6, 345–375.
Pavlov, I.P. (1927) Conditioned Reflexes (translated by G.V. Anrep). Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Premack, D. (1965) Reinforcement theory. In D. Levine (ed.), Nebraska Symposium on Motivation. Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press.
Wolfe, J.B. (1936) Effectiveness of token-rewards for chimpanzees. Comparative Psychology Monographs, 12, 1–72.
Annotated reading
Gray, J.A. (1979) Pavlov. London: Fontana. Once again a Fontana book giving a very clear account of Pavlov the man and his ideas as they developed over the years. The only difficulty you may encounter with this book is to prevent negative feelings being built up over the bombardment of UCSs, CSs and UCRs.
Skinner, B.F. (1973) Beyond Freedom and Dignity. Harmondsworth: Penguin. Skinner’s psychology has exerted considerable influence over the way our society works. In this book he sets out his position on the notion of free will and the dignity of Man.
Walker, S. (1975) Learning and Reinforcement. London: Methuen. This is a paperback giving a straightforward account of the nature of classical and operant conditioning. It is sometimes helpful to have another perspective on the same set of facts.
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© 1982 The British Psychological Society
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Fransella, F. (1982). Learning, conditioning and skill. In: Psychology for Occupational Therapists. Psychology for Professional Groups. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-16882-8_11
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-16882-8_11
Publisher Name: Palgrave, London
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