Theories of Learning free essay sample

This paper defines and compares the theories of learning from the behaviorist perspective and the cognitive point of view. The author discusses the contribution of psychologists in theses respective fields and concludes that a more detailed theory including situational characteristics is necessary. Behaviorism is a theory of animal and human learning that focuses on objectively observable behaviors; behavior theorists define learning as nothing more than the acquisition of new behavior through a process of conditioning. Classic conditioning occurs when a natural reflex responds to a stimulus; a certain stimulus will produce a biological response. The most popular example is Pavlovs observation that dogs salivate when they eat or even see food.