Learning A Survey of Psychological Interpretations

by Hill, Winfred F.

• ISBN13: 9780321056764
• ISBN10: 0321056760
• Edition: 7th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-09-11
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

Built around eight controversial questions on which the various learning theories differ, this text examines the biological basis of learning and motivation. An accessible survey of the theories that have provided a framework for the psychological study of learning and motivation in the 20th century, this book looks at learning through the lenses of the nurture-nature issue and evolution. Motivation is treated as a crucial aspect of the learning process.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
How Psychologists Study Learning	1	(10)
Learning in School	2	(2)
Learning in the Laboratory	4	(7)
The Nature of Learning Theories	11	(12)
Variables and Laws	11	(2)
Abstraction	13	(2)
What Are Learning Theories?	15	(8)
Two Early Connectionist Theories	23	(12)
Pavlov's Conditioning	23	(7)
Thorndike's Early Connectionism	30	(5)
Contiguity Interpretations of Learning	35	(15)
Watson's Behaviorism	35	(5)
Guthrie's One-Principle System	40	(9)
Guthrie and Watson as Contiguity Theorists	49	(1)
Hull's Formal Theory Building	50	(13)
The Postulational Method of Theory Construction	50	(2)
The Theory	52	(4)
Strengths and Weaknesses of Hull's System	56	(2)
Hull's Influence on Other Theorists	58	(5)
Skinner's Form of Behaviorism	63	(14)
The Basic Elements of Skinner's System	63	(6)
The Effects of Reinforcers	69	(8)
Applications and Implications of Skinner's System	77	(11)
Behavior Modification	77	(4)
Education	81	(1)
Other Applications	82	(2)
Skinner's Relation to Other Psychologists	84	(4)
Early European Cognitive Theory	88	(14)
Gestalt Theory	88	(7)
Piaget and Cognitive Development	95	(7)
Early American Cognitive Theory	102	(13)
Tolman's Purposive Behaviorism	102	(7)
Tolman's Continuing Influence	109	(2)
The Cognitive Revolution	111	(4)
Cognitions, Computers, and Production Systems	115	(13)
Computers and Learning Theory	115	(5)
Anderson's ACT Theory	120	(8)
Later Cognitive and Mixed Interpretations	128	(17)
Cognitive Interpretation of Classical Conditioning	128	(2)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy	130	(4)
Explanatory Styles	134	(2)
The Structure of Learning	136	(2)
Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory	138	(7)
The New Connectionism	145	(10)
Problems with Computer Models	145	(1)
Network Models	146	(6)
Applications and Evaluation	152	(3)
Issues in Motivation	155	(15)
Interpretations of Drive and Reinforcement	155	(3)
Responses as Reinforcers	158	(4)
Cybernetics	162	(3)
Opponent-Process Theory	165	(5)
Heredity, Evolution, and Learning	170	(12)
Species-Specific Behavior	171	(2)
Preparedness	173	(2)
Implications for Learning Theory	175	(2)
The Place of Heredity in Behavior	177	(5)
Learning Theory Past, Present, and Future	182	(11)
Issues on Which Learning Theories Divide	182	(4)
Criteria for an Ideal Theory	186	(3)
The Present-Day Value of Learning Theories	189	(4)
Summary List of Theorists	193	(2)
Glossary	195	(6)
References	201	(6)
Index	207