Learning Learning: Facts, Theories, and Principles

The textbook Learning Learning is a comprehensive survey of the field of learning from a psychological point of view. The book underscores the valuable perspectives psychology brings to our understanding of the ways all life forms, from the simple to the complex, acquire new behaviors and knowledge. The introductory chapter defines learning and addresses the three psychological domains of learning – behavior, cognition, and emotion. This first chapter also examines the nature of stimuli and responses and compares cognitive versus behavioral approaches to learning. The second chapter explains the scientific process and sheds light on how behavioral research is used to help better understand the learning process. Subsequent chapters (chapters 3-7) explore forms of learning based primarily on animal models, ranging from classical Pavlovian conditioning to operant conditioning with an emphasis on the related concepts of reinforcement, punishment, scheduling, discrimination, generalization, and transfer. The final chapters (chapters 8-12) focus mostly on human forms of learning, such social learning and language learning. The book concludes with a discussion of the impact of evolution, genetics, and adaptation. Accessible and student-friendly, Learning Learning is ideal for students who are new to the field of study.