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.
This book 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.
Module 1: The Evolution of Learning Science
Chapter
1. Exploring the
Pathways of Learning: From Aristotles 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 Environments
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 Ones Path: Memory and Navigation Module Application References
Index
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.
