Class XI-Psychology
Chapter -Learning
Long questions and answers:
What is learning? Explain its characteristics.
Answer:
Learning is a process that leads to a relatively permanent change in behaviour or knowledge due to experience. It is an essential aspect of human and animal behaviour, shaping how individuals adapt to their environment.
Characteristics of Learning:
Permanent Change: Learning results in lasting behavioural changes rather than temporary ones.
Experience-Based: Learning occurs through interactions, observations, and practice.
Not Directly Observable: It is inferred from behavioural changes.
Can be Intentional or Unintentional: Learning happens consciously (studying) or unconsciously (picking up habits).
Involves Adjustment: It helps individuals adapt to their surroundings.
Can be Positive or Negative: Learning can lead to beneficial skills or harmful habits.
Explain the different types of learning with examples.
Answer:
Learning can be classified into various types:
Classical Conditioning: Learning through association. Example: A child fearing a doctor’s clinic after getting an injection.
Operant Conditioning: Learning through rewards and punishments. Example: A student studying hard after receiving praise.
Observational Learning: Learning by watching others. Example: A child learning to tie shoes by observing parents.
Cognitive Learning: Learning by understanding concepts rather than mere practice. Example: Solving math problems using formulas.
Latent Learning: Learning that is not immediately demonstrated but used when needed. Example: Remembering a route when lost.
Explain Pavlov’s experiment on classical conditioning.
Answer:
Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist, conducted an experiment on dogs to explain classical conditioning.
Steps of Experiment:
Before Conditioning: The dog naturally salivated when food (Unconditioned Stimulus) was presented, but not when a bell rang.
During Conditioning: Pavlov rang a bell (Neutral Stimulus) before giving food repeatedly.
After Conditioning: The dog started salivating just on hearing the bell, even without food.
Conclusion:
The bell became a Conditioned Stimulus.
The salivation in response to the bell became a Conditioned Response.
This experiment proved that behaviors can be learned through association.
What is operant conditioning? Explain with Skinner’s experiment.
Answer:
Operant conditioning, proposed by B.F. Skinner, is a type of learning where behaviour is strengthened or weakened by consequences (rewards or punishments).
Skinner’s Experiment:
He placed a hungry rat inside a box (Skinner Box).
The box had a lever, which the rat accidentally pressed, releasing food.
The rat learned that pressing the lever resulted in food, increasing the behaviour.
Types of Consequences in Operant Conditioning:
Positive Reinforcement: Adding something pleasant (e.g., rewards).
Negative Reinforcement: Removing something unpleasant (e.g., stopping a loud noise).
Punishment: Applying unpleasant stimuli to reduce behaviour (e.g., scolding).
Extinction: When learned behaviour disappears due to lack of reinforcement.
What are the principles of learning in psychology?
Answer:
Some major principles of learning include:
Reinforcement: Strengthens behaviour through rewards.
Association: Learning occurs when two stimuli are linked (e.g., Pavlov’s experiment).
Repetition: Repeated exposure strengthens learning.
Motivation: A strong desire to learn increases effectiveness.
Feedback: Positive or negative responses help in better learning.
Extinction and Recovery: Learned behaviours can fade without reinforcement but may reappear.
These principles help in education, behaviour modification, and skill development.
What is insight learning? Explain with Kohler’s experiment.
Answer:
Insight learning occurs when a sudden realization helps solve a problem without trial and error.
Kohler’s Experiment on Chimpanzees:
Kohler placed a chimpanzee (Sultan) inside a cage with bananas hanging from the ceiling.
Sultan initially tried to reach the bananas but failed.
After observing the environment, he suddenly used a stick to pull the banana down.
This showed that learning can happen through a sudden understanding rather than gradual trial and error.
Insight learning is common in problem-solving situations and requires intelligence and creativity.
What is observational learning? Discuss its stages with an example.
Answer:
Observational learning occurs by watching others and imitating their behaviour. Albert Bandura explained this through the Bobo Doll Experiment.
Stages of Observational Learning:
Attention: The learner observes the model (e.g., a child watching a parent cook).
Retention: The information is stored in memory.
Reproduction: The learner tries to imitate the action (e.g., attempting to cook).
Motivation: If rewarded, the behaviour is repeated; if punished, it is avoided.
Example: A child learns to greet people politely after watching parents.
How do rewards and punishments affect learning?
Answer:
Rewards and punishments influence behaviour in several ways:
Rewards: Encourage learning by providing positive reinforcement (e.g., praising a student for good grades).
Punishments: Discourage negative behaviours but may create fear (e.g., scolding for misbehaviour).
Over justification
Effect: Too many rewards can reduce intrinsic motivation.
Effective Punishment: Should be fair and consistent to avoid psychological harm.
Rewards are more effective in encouraging long-term positive behaviour than punishments.
What is transfer of learning? Explain its types.
Answer:
Transfer of learning refers to applying knowledge from one situation to another.
Types of Transfer:
Positive Transfer: When previous learning helps in new learning (e.g., learning guitar helps in playing piano).
Negative Transfer: When past learning interferes with new learning (e.g., learning to drive a car affects riding a bike).
Neutral Transfer: When previous learning has no effect on new learning.
Understanding transfer helps in designing better teaching methods.
~Ridhi Tanaya Sahu
