Describe what changes constitute learning and what changes do not, distinguish between associative learning and cognitive learning, list the two types of associative learning, and explain the importance of antecedents and consequences for each type

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer will include that learning is a relatively permanent change in behavior due to experience. However, the definition of learning excludes both temporary changes and more permanent changes caused by motivation, fatigue, maturation, disease, injury, or drugs. Although each of these can alter behavior, none qualifies as learning. Associative learning occurs whenever a person or an animal forms a simple association among various stimuli and/or behaviors. Associative learning requires relatively little awareness or thought and humans share this important capacity for associative learning with many other species. Although much learning can be explained by associative learning, humans also engage in cognitive learning, which refers to understanding, knowing, anticipating, or otherwise making use of information-rich higher mental processes. In contrast with associative learning, more complex forms of cognitive learning, such as learning from written language, are unique to humans. However, some animals do engage in simpler forms of cognitive learning. There are two main types of associative learning: classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Unlocking the secrets of associative learning begins with noting what happens before and after a particular behavior. Events that precede a response are called antecedents, while effects that follow a response are consequences. Classical conditioning is based on what happens before we respond. In classical conditioning, an antecedent stimulus that does not produce a response is linked with one that does. In operant conditioning, learning is based on the consequence of responding. A response may be followed by a reinforcer, or by punishment, or by nothing, which determines whether the response will be made again.