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Learning and Cognition
Michelle Snare-Otto
PSY/390
April 30, 2012
Robert Hicks

Learning and Cognition Learning is considered taking in something that we did not already know. Behavior changes are related to learning. When we learn our behavior tends to change so that we may take in the materials that we are learning. Not all learning is done through conditioning. Learning can be observational, listening to instructions, or imitating a behavior. Cognitive learning is considered an influential method that provides us with the information that we need to have to learn new data. This essay will take a look at all the aspects related to cognition and learning and how behavior is affected.
Definition of Learning
According to Olson & Hergenhahn, 2009, learning is a significant topic within this present day by psychologists. Learning is an exceptionally difficult idea to define. Learning can be defined as gaining the knowledge, mastery, or the comprehension of experience or information. Some psychologist do not particularly care for this definition and see learning as referring to changes in observable behaviors (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2009). A popular definition of learning was suggested by Gregory A. Kimble as learning being a permanent change in behavior that would occur as a result of reinforced practice (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2009). Learning allows for individuals to do something that they could not do before learning took place.
Role Behavior Plays Learning As individuals we can learn just by observing other individual’s. We learn the behaviors of others and watch the outcome of those behaviors. Learning is obvious by a change within an individual’s behavior. Environment may also shape our behavior. We tend to watch what is going on around us and learn from what we see. This may or may not change the way we later behave. The internal state of mind

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