PSYC 110 Week 3 Discussion: Learning & Memory

Student Name

Chamberlain University

PSYC-110: Psychology

Prof. Name:

Date

Week 3 Discussion: Learning & Memory

Observational Learning and Conditioning

Learning, as defined by psychologists, refers to a relatively permanent change in behavior due to experience. One example of this is observational learning, where a child (the observer) watches an elder sibling (the model) arrange his books, receiving praise from their parents for completing the task. The child, motivated by the positive reinforcement, imitates this behavior by arranging her own toys. In addition to observational learning, classical and operant conditioning are fundamental concepts in the learning process. These types of conditioning significantly influence our everyday lives. For instance, classical conditioning can be observed when someone feels drowsy after turning on a white noise machine at night, as they have learned to associate the sound with sleepiness. Operant conditioning, on the other hand, occurs when behaviors are reinforced through rewards, such as when an individual cooks more often because they enjoy the praise they receive from family members for their efforts.

Classical and Operant Conditioning in My Life

Reflecting on my personal experiences, I can identify several examples of both classical and operant conditioning. In terms of classical conditioning, I notice that whenever I hear the sound of an alarm clock in the morning, I immediately feel the urge to get out of bed, as I’ve learned to associate the sound with waking up for work. Another example of classical conditioning in my life is when I feel a sense of relaxation upon entering a familiar café because I have consistently associated the place with positive experiences. On the other hand, operant conditioning can be seen in my behavior when I choose to exercise more frequently because I receive compliments from friends and family about my physical health. Additionally, I find myself engaging in more productive work when I know that I will be rewarded with a break afterward. These examples illustrate how both classical and operant conditioning shape behaviors based on associations and reinforcement.

Habituation in My Life

Habituation occurs naturally when a stimulus is repeatedly encountered, and it plays an important role in adapting to our environment. For example, after moving to a new house located near train tracks, I initially found it difficult to sleep through the night due to the loud noise of passing trains. However, over time, I became accustomed to the sound, and I no longer noticed the trains passing by during the night. Similarly, when I first moved to a busy city, the constant honking of car horns disturbed my sleep, but after a few weeks, I began to sleep through it without any issue. A third example of habituation in my life occurred when I started living in a neighborhood with frequent lawn mowing during the weekend. Initially, the noise was disruptive, but over time, I became so used to it that I didn’t even hear the lawnmowers anymore. These examples demonstrate how repeated exposure to a stimulus can lead to a decrease in response, which is a key aspect of habituation.

References

Brookfield, S. D. (1995). Becoming a critically reflective teacher. Jossey-Bass.