LEARNING

                                                            Learning 

 According to Martyn Sloman, "Learning is the process by which a person constructs knowledge, skills and capabilities".

. According to E. R. Hilgard, "Learning is a relatively permanent change in behaviour that occurs as a result of prior experience".

According to Sanford, "Learning is a relatively enduring change in behaviour bought about as a consequence of experience".

Features of Leaning

- Learning is continuous process

- Learning involves constant growth and development

- Learning a Transferable process

- Learning involves change 

- Learning is systematised experience

- Learning is Adjustment

IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING

1) Help in controlling employee behaviour 

2) Determines Employee Behaviour

3) Enhances growth in functional Behaviour

LEARNING PROCESS

Attention:-attention is mandatory for bringing information into the active memory and keeping it alive.

Expectancy:- due to the planned process of learning the learner looks forward for something good to happen.

Retrieval of relevant information to working memory:- the learner fetches the structure from the long term memory which is quite essential for gaining new information or finding solution to problem faced.

Selective perception:- the learner usually targets his attention on the main instruction that are highlighted in the presentation.

Encoding entry to information into long term storage:- the learner usually conceals the facts on which he or she has applied attention beforehand.

Responding:- learner proper execution of works show s that learning process is  correct

Feedback:- the learner primarily figures out the extent the work satisfaction through the attainment of knowledge during the previous phase.when the outcome feedback indicates positivity of the performance an encouragement to the learner .

Theories of Learning

There are four theories of learning:-

-  Classical Conditioning 

- Operant Conditioning 

-  Cognitive Theory

-  Social Learning 

 Classical Conditioning – behaviourist theory “Classical conditioning can be defined as a process in which a formerly neutral stimulus when paired with an unconditional stimulus, becomes a conditioned stimulus that illicit a conditioned response . (Luthans 1995)

 • Ivan Pavlov a psychologist who won Nobel prize introduced classical conditioning theory. 

 • The experiment envisaged dog as a subject. 

 • Pavlov carried out this experiment in three sequential stages

. • In stage one, he presented meat (unconditional stimulus) to the dog. He noticed a great deal of salivation (unconditional response)

. • In stage two he only rang up the bell (neutral stimulus), the dog had no salivation

. • In stage three, Pavlov was to accompany the offering of meat to the dog along with ringing up of bell.

 • After doing this several times, Pavlov rang up only bell (without offering of meat to the dog). This time the dog salivated to the ringing up of bell alone.

 • Pavlov concluded that the dog has become classically conditioned to salivate (response) to the sound of the bell (stimulus). 

 • It will be seen that the learning can take place amongst animals based on stimulus – response (SR) connections

. • The study was undoubtedly single most famous study ever conducted in behavioural sciences. It was a major breakthrough and had a lasting impact on understanding of learning. 

Operant Conditioning  

Operant conditioning deals with Response—Stimulus (R-S) connection. 

 - The concept was originated by B.F. Skinner.  He felt that more complex behaviour couldn’t be explained by Classical Conditioning concept. 

- He states that most human behaviour operates based on the environment. Operant Conditioning is concerned primarily with learning as a consequence of behaviour (R-S)

. - In Operant Conditioning particular response occurs as a consequence of many stimulus situations. Stimulus typically serves as a cue for a particular response.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLASICAL AND OPERANT CONDITIONING

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Cognitive Theory – Cognitive Approach 

 - Edward Tolman was recognized as pioneer of Cognitive Theory. 

 - The theory consists of relationship between environmental (cognitive) cues and expectations. 

 - He used white rat in his psychological experiment of Cognitive theory

. - He found that the rat could run through critical path with particular intention of getting food (goal/objective). 

- In the experiment, Tolman established certain choice points where expectations were established.

 - The rat learned cognitive cues at various choice points, which would raise its expectation to move forward to the objective (food)

. - Thus the rat turned to acquire food, based on relationship of Cues and Reward or expectations. 

 - This theory was later applied on human resources where incentives were related to higher performance.

 Social Learning – behavioural approach

 - Social learning approach is a behavioural approach. • The approach basically deals with learning process based on direct observation and the experience.

 - It is achieved while interacting with individuals. In social learning people observe, alter and even construct a particular environment to fit in the social behavioural pattern.

 - Individuals learn a great deal from watching attractive models and they copy their behaviour and display the same.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY OR SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY