Fundamentals of Learning

A Behavioral Approach
1. Auflage 2025
ISBN: 978-1-032-79410-5
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Buch, Englisch, 490 Seiten, Format (B × H): 178 mm x 254 mm, Gewicht: 453 g

Fundamentals of Learning: A Behavioral Approach discusses the basic mechanisms of learning. It highlights how most behaviors are learned through minimal amounts of cognitive processing and acquired through associations between stimuli, such as observed in classical and operant conditioning (associative learning) and repeated experiences with a single stimulus (non-associative learning).

Together, in combination with innate or instinctual behaviors, these forms of learning account for the acquisition of an impressively wide range of behaviors and played a crucial in the evolution of species as it permitted them to adapt to changing environments. The book begins by tracing the history of learning theory, acquainting students with the philosophers and early researchers who contributed to learning theory. It then goes on to cover theoretical explanations of the basic learning mechanisms, including theories of classical and operant conditioning. The modular approach of the book enables students to link the concepts they learn about in the text to their own behavior. The book concludes with a discussion of the role of cognition in learning covering behaviors that are considered to be less automatized and mediated by cognitive processes, such as the formation of spatial maps and the processes involved in decision-making and motivated behaviors.

The book is written with the student in mind throughout, featuring real-life case studies, key terms and learning objectives. It is also accompanied by an eBook+ featuring in-chapter videos, alongside online resources such as lecture slides, class assignments, and multiple choice questions. It will be a must-read for all students of learning and behavior, or animal learning.

Zielgruppe

Postgraduate and Undergraduate Advanced

Autoren/Hrsg.

Gaskin, Stephane

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Psychologie Allgemeine Psychologie Kognitionspsychologie
• Sozialwissenschaften Psychologie Psychologie / Allgemeines & Theorie Psychologische Theorie, Psychoanalyse Behaviourismus
• Sozialwissenschaften Pädagogik Lehrerausbildung, Unterricht & Didaktik Methoden des Lehrens und Lernens
• Sozialwissenschaften Psychologie Psychologische Disziplinen Tierpsychologie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Module 1: The Evolution of Learning Science  Chapter 1. Exploring the Pathways of Learning: From Aristotle’s Laws of Association to Artificial Intelligence  Chapter 2. Fundamental Concepts: Mapping the Terrain of Learning  Module Application  Module 2: Innate Behaviors and Non-associative Learning  Chapter 3. Unveiling Nature's Blueprint for Learning: Exploring Innate Behaviors  Chapter 4. Exploring Nonassociative Learning  Module Application  Module 3: The ABCs of Classical Conditioning  Chapter 5. Foundations and Basic Concepts of Classical Conditioning  Chapter 6. Classical Conditioning Beyond Pavlov: From Little Albert to Peter and the Rabbit  Module Application  Module 4: Behavioral Adaptations, Determinants, and Modeling of Classical Conditioning  Chapter 7. The Power and Adaptive Functions of Classical Conditioning  Chapter 8. Unravelling the Building Blocks Classical Conditioning  Chapter 9. Cracking the Code: Modelling Classical Conditioning  Module Application  Module 5: The Fundamentals of Operant Conditioning and Types of Reinforcers  Chapter 10. From Puzzle Boxes to Skinner Boxes: The Fundamentals of Operant Conditioning  Chapter 11. Reinforcers: How they work and what makes them effective?  Module Application  Module 6: Reinforcement and Extinction  Chapter 12. Theories of Reinforcement  Chapter 13. How does it come together? The Associative Structure of Instrumental Conditioning  Chapter 14. Exploring the Dynamics of Extinction  Module Application  Module 7: The Principals of Stimulus Control and Behavioral Effects of Stimulus Discrimination  Chapter 15. Under Stimulus Control: The Environment’s Influence on Behavior  Chapter 16. Fine-Tuning Behavior: The Behavioral Effects of Stimulus Discrimination  Module Application  Module 8: Choice Behavior and Self-control  Chapter 17. Choice, Choices, Choices: Choice Behavior Unveiled  Chapter 18. Do good things come to those who wait? Unraveling the Mechanisms of Self-Control  Module Application  Module 9: Avoidance Behaviour and Punishment  Chapter 19. Surviving in a Potentially Dangerous Environment: Understanding Avoidance Behavior  Chapter 20. Punishment  Module Application  Module 10: Cognitive psychology, Comparative Cognition, Memory and Navigation  Chapter 21. The Surprisingly Complex Behavior of Animals: Cognitive Psychology and Comparative Cognition  Chapter 22. Tracing One’s Path: Memory and Navigation  Module Application  References  Index

Über Autor(innen)

Stéphane Gaskin is a psychologist, behavioural neuroscientist, and educator with extensive experience teaching at both college and university. With a PhD in psychology and behavioural neuroscience from McGill University, he has dedicated his career to exploring the cognitive, social, and neurobiological aspects of human behavior.