This document defines learning and discusses various types and principles of learning. It defines learning as a relatively permanent change in behavior resulting from experience. The types of learning discussed are motor, verbal, concept, and attitude learning. The principles of learning explained are operant conditioning established by Skinner, and classical conditioning established by Pavlov involving conditioning a response to a neutral stimulus. Examples are given of using operant and classical conditioning in clinical settings. Learning theories discussed include behavioral, cognitive, social, and humanistic approaches.

1. Learning, Principle Of Learning &
Types of Learning
Lecturer
Ahsan Raza
M.sc, ADCP (Gold Medalist), MS, PhD Scholar

2. DEFINITION OF LEARNING
 Gardner Murphy (1968) - the term learning covers
every modification in behavior to meet environmental
requirements.
 Gates (1946) – learning is the modification of
behavior through experience.
 Most psychologist defines as relatively permanent
change in behavior that results from experience.
 Woodworth (1945) – any activity can be called
learning so far as it develops the individual (in any
respect, good or bad) and makes his later behavior
and experiences different from what they would
otherwise have been.

3. Types of Learning
 Motor Learning: Most of our
activities in our day-to-days life
refer to motor activities. (E.g.
walking, running, skating,
driving, climbing).
 Verbal learning: This type of
learning involves the language
we speak, the communication
devices we use. (Signs,
pictures, symbols, words)
 Concept learning: It is the form
of learning which requires
higher order mental processes
like thinking, reasoning,
intelligence, etc. (For example,
when we see a dog)
 Attitude learning: Attitude is a
predisposition which
determines and directs our
behavior. We develop different
attitudes from our childhood
about the people, objects and
everything we know.
 Learning of principles:
Individuals learn certain
principles related to science,
mathematics, grammar, etc.

4. Principles of Learning
 A. Operant Conditioning
 learning new behaviors or changes in behavior occur
on the basis of the environmental conditions or
responses to it.
 Operant conditioning was established by the work of
BF Skinner.
 Operant conditioning occurs when a behavior that is
not a part of persons natural responses is learned (or
unlearned) by consequences in the form of reward and
punishment
 The famous Skinner Box demonstrated operant
conditioning

5. BF Skinner Box

9. Shaping
 Shaping involves rewarding
closer and closer approx. of the
wanted behavior until the
correct behavior is achieved. An
example of this is when a child
learning to write
Modeling
 Modelling is a type of
observational learning. This is
what occurs when a student
starts to talk, dress and behave
in a manner similar to that of an
inspiring teacher;

10. b. Classical Conditioning
 It involves three factors: A neutral stimulus (Whistle), a
stimulus (Food) that causes a biological response, and the
biological response (Salivation) itself.
 It is a form of learning that occurs when these two stimuli are
paired.
 Neutral Stimulus = Conditioned Stimulus (bell, whistle, smell)
 Stimulus = Unconditioned Stimulus (Food, room temp.)
 Biological Response = Unconditioned Response (Salivation)
 When a biological response is coupled with a neutral
stimulus that would not normally cause it, such as a bell
causing salivation, this is known as a conditioned response.

11. Ivan Pavlov’s Experiment

14. Use of Operant Conditioning against
bad habit (Clinical Setting)
1. Try to discover what is
reinforcing a bad habit, and
remove, avoid or delay the
reinforcement
2. Avoid or narrow down cues that
elicit the bad habit (e.g. by
removing ashtrays, matches
and extra cigarettes from his
house, car and office.)
3. Make an incompatible response
in the presence of stimuli that
usually precede the bad habit
(e.g. putting her hands in her
pockets, taking notes in her
class, sketching pictures,
crossing her arms, chewing
gum
4. Use negative practice to
associate a bad habit with
discomfort.
5. Utilize feedback to change bad
habits.

15. Uses of Classical Conditioning in
Clinical Setting
1. Acquisition of fear and anxiety about hospitals (e.g.
associate (pair”) neutral stimuli such as white coats with
nasty, painful events (injections, drips)
2. Chemotherapy for treating cancer (e.g. f powerful cytotoxic
drugs that have marked side effects. The patient’s hair falls
out, they feel nauseous and sick, and are unable to eat)
3. Treatment of Phobias (A form of therapy known as
Systematic Desensitization based on classical conditioning
can be beneficial in treating patients)

23. Learning Theories
 Behavioral
 Cognitive
 Social
 Humanistic