Types of Learning | Different Types of Learning in Psychology

Learning is a fundamental process that shapes human behavior and development. In psychology, there are different types of learning, each influencing how individuals acquire and retain knowledge.

Researchers have identified various types of learning in psychology, including the 3 types of learning in psychology that focus on cognitive, behavioral, and social aspects. 

Additionally, different types of learning models explain how learning occurs in educational and real-world settings. Understanding the 4 main types of psychology helps in exploring how learning impacts emotions, behaviors, and mental processes. 

Not just limited to humans, the types of learning behavior in animals also demonstrate how creatures adapt to their environment. 

In educational psychology, experts analyze the types of learning in the classroom to improve teaching strategies. 

Moreover, individuals with special needs may experience types of learning disability in psychology, requiring tailored support. 

Resources like types of learning in psychology SlideShare help educators and students grasp key concepts, including the types of learning styles psychology and the 4 types of learning styles that cater to different learning preferences.

Learning is a purposeful process. It does not occur until the learner is ready. There is a special motivation in the individual to learn something, which makes the learning process successful. The following different types of learning emerged n psychology.

Numerous experiments have been done so far to understand the learning process. The study of animals has been found to be very useful in this regard. 

Psychologists used the Maze and the Mystery Box (Puzzle Box) in conducting experiments on animal learning. These experiments yielded important information about the nature of learning.

 

Learning by Trial and Error Method

Thorndike is famous for his trial and error learning method. Thorndike's experiments were on a cat. She was kept hungry and locked in a mystery box and a piece of meat was placed outside the mystery box.

The cat's efforts to get out of the mystery box were carefully studied. Because the cat was not familiar with the mystery box. 

Therefore, to learn the skill of opening the door, she had to make many movements that were meaningless. And finally, through trial and error, he learned how to get out of the box.

According to Wordsworth, learning by trial and error is the process in which unsuccessful movements are gradually abandoned and successful movements are maintained. 

Obviously, there is no intelligence in this method of learning. That is why Thorndike, in the light of his experiments, came to the conclusion that animals can only learn by trial and error method.

Although learning by trial and error is primarily an animal process, but it is also used in humans. When trying to learn a new task, the trial and error method is used in the beginning. 

Mistakes are more common in the beginning. Attempts are made to abandon unsuccessful movements and imitate successful movements. 

According to Thorndike, humans also learn by trial and error in some situations, like animals. But there is a significant difference in humans. That they try to adopt the most appropriate response in complex problems and new situations even in the trial and error method. 

They make mistakes once and a half times, relying on their past experiences, observations, thinking, and intelligence, and then reach the right path.

 

Learning by Intuition | Learning by Insight

Kohler is famous for education by intuition. He proved by conducting experiments on monkeys that if animals are given the right opportunities, they will definitely show intelligence in education. 

In Thorndike's experiments, the animals were kept in an unnatural environment. Where they did not get a chance to show their intelligence. 

While in Kohler's experiments, the monkeys were exposed to an environment that was natural or close to the natural. 

For example, a bunch of bananas was hung from the ceiling with the help of a rope and a box was placed nearby. With the help of which the bunch could be reached. 

When the monkey could not get the bananas without using the box, he dragged the box and brought it under the bananas. He climbed on it and reached the bunch of bananas.

A careful study of the monkey's activity clearly shows that it was an intelligent activity. As Kohler complicated his experiments and gave his monkeys difficult problems, he also had to resort to trial and error in solving the problem.

As far as human learning is concerned, it has been proven through experiments and observations that the learning process of man is based on intelligence. But if a person has also solve a problem that is very complex, then of course "he will also make mistakes."

 

 

 

Learning by Imitation

In addition to intelligence, humans also learn by imitation. But it should be remembered here that imitation also requires intelligence. This is why animals also have the ability to learn by imitation. 

Wordsworth also proved this with his experiment. He locked the cat in the mystery box to open the door of the mystery box. While another cat, who was not familiar with the mystery box, was kept standing outside. So that it could see the first cat coming out of the box. 

The experiment proved that the second cat could not gain any special benefit from watching the first cat's learning. That is, it could not learn by imitation, however, it made fewer wrong movements than the first cat. Because it had guessed the place of the hook from the first cat's efforts.

 

Conditional Learning (Learning by Conditioning)

Conditional learning is also called learning by association. The principle of association is that when two stimuli or objects or events are close to each other in terms of space or time, a relationship is established between them. 

And as soon as one stimulus or object or event comes to mind, another stimulus or object or event related to it comes to mind. 

For example, after a flash of lightning, its thunder is expected. Similarly, upon seeing fire, the idea of its properties, as burning, heat, etc., comes to mind.

From observation of daily life, it is known that the process of learning is often conditional. A child sees two round objects, his mother calls one object a ball and the other an apple. So in the child's experience, the names of different objects also come through association.

This process of learning by association is fundamentally present in our training, skills, and education. The names of Pavlov and B.F. Skinner are worth mentioning for conducting experiments on conditioned learning. 

Pavlov's experiments are called classical conditioning and B.F. Skinner's experiments are called associative conditioning or instrumental conditioning.

 

FAQs

What are the types of learning in psychology?

The main types of learning in psychology include classical conditioning, operant conditioning, observational learning, and cognitive learning.

What are the 4 types of learning in psychology?

The four main types of learning in psychology are visual learning, auditory learning, reading/writing learning, and kinesthetic learning.

What types of learning styles are there?

Learning styles include visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic, which describe how individuals best absorb and retain information.

Which types of learning resources are available in the workplace?

Workplace learning resources include on-the-job training, e-learning courses, mentorship programs, workshops, and collaborative learning platforms.

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