Psychology of Learning (Overview Article)

Synonyms

Acquisition of knowledge; Conditioning; Storage

Definition

In general, psychologists view learning as a long-term change in behavior or mental associations as a result of experience. Very temporary changes (e.g., remembering a telephone number only long enough to dial it) do not constitute learning, nor do changes that result solely from physiological maturation, brain injury, mental illness, dementia, or use of mind-altering substances (e.g., alcohol, amphetamines). Learning does not necessarily involve a permanent change, however; learned information and skills can be lost (forgotten) if they are used infrequently or not at all.

Theoretical Background

When psychology emerged as a distinct discipline in the late 1800s, theoretical perspectives of learning (e.g., Wilhelm Wundt’s structuralism, John Dewey’s functionalism) lacked a solid research base. The primary research methodology at the time was introspection: Researchers simply asked their subjects to reflect on and...