3 Types of Learning
There are 3 generally accepted types of learning out there. These are known as classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning.
- Classical Conditioning: When we pair together two unrelated stimulus. Think pavlov's dogs - at first, food elicited a natural drooling response. But when a bell was rung before feeding every single time, the unconditioned stimulus (the bell) began to elicit the same response (drooling) as the food did.
- Operant Conditioning: When we used reward or punishment to modify an animals behavior. For example, a rat rewarded every time they touch a lever will begin to touch that lever more frequently. And a rat shocked every time they touch a lever will begin to touch the lever less frequently. After enough repetitions, the previously neutral stimulus (the lever) will now hold a meaning to the rat (either "stay away from it!" or "press it!").
- Observational Learning: When an animal learns by watching another animal perform that behavior. For example, if a rat watches another rat get rewarded for pressing a lever and decides to try pressing it themselves, that's observational learning.
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