An Examination of the Concept of Learning
Martin Eckelberry
Psych/550 Psychology of Learning
11/24/2014
Thomas Pourchot

An Examination of the Concept of Learning
Learning, simply stated, is the acquisition of knowledge (Terry, 2009). The concept of learning is not as simple to explain. When examining the concept of learning it is important to address the origins of the study of learning, the difference between learning and performance, and understanding the four conceptual approaches to the study of learning.
As stated above, in its most basic explanation, learning is the acquisition of knowledge. There is much debate as to the how humans are able to learn. Philosophers such as Descartes and John Locke, biologists in the like of Charles Darwin, as well as early psychologists created a new field of study in an attempt to unlock how humans can learn: Epistemology – the study of how we come to have knowledge (Terry, 2009). This led to the debate between innate knowledge (nature or nativism) versus knowledge gained from environmental influences (nurture or rationalism).
“Certainly, there is disagreement among learning theorists who advocate stronger versus weaker contributions of innate predispositions. The point I am making here is that contemporary theory reflects the nativism of Descartes, the empiricism of Locke, and the evolution theory of Darwin (Terry, 2009, p. 5).” Although this debate has been largely put to rest; as both sides have a legitimate claim to the influences that lead to the acquisition of knowledge, there is still a divide in the academic community as to which origin (nature or nurture) plays the dominant role in learning. Examples can be made for both sides of the argument (Karmiloff-Smith, 2009).
A simple example of the nativist approach would state, “Nearly all living beings, whether animal or human, are born with certain