Types or Patterns of Learning - Essay Example

The paper "Types or Patterns of Learning" is a good example of an essay on psychology. Learning is the process of change in the behavioral pattern that results while acquiring knowledge and experience. As one does more he gains more experience and in turn, he learns more. As Pablo Picasso once famously said, “I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” There are three types or patterns of learning. These are Conditional learning, Operant learning, and Observational learning.
In observational learning, the observer learns from how the model's actions are reinforced or punished. He himself is not affected and learns by observing and imitating. In operant learning, one learns directly from his own actions and its repercussions, be it reinforcement or punishment. Classical learning is based on stimulus and response. Its a passive form of learning where the learner's response is elicited. There is no reinforcement or punishment. All these forms of learning can be followed in our daily lives starting from raising children to training animals to solving problems. Problem-solving skills can be developed in a special way if one follows the observational learning method. If one is faced with a problem one can always observe how others have reacted to a similar situation and take note of the positive results and try to imitate them. It may not always give the desired result but as in operant learning, you learn from the punishments too. I grew up in a household where my parents mostly followed the operant style of learning. Desired results almost always brought in reinforcements in the form of praise or surprise small gifts and undesired actions mostly resulted in instant punishments. That has definitely helped me to learn the differences between right and wrong, however, I found my parents a tad too strict. So, as a parent, I would like to follow a style consisting of both operant and observational learning methods. Punishment without actually being abusive when a child acts in an undesirable way will teach the child what is wrong and so chances of repetition are less. However, the punishment should be consistent every time the child commits the mistake. Again when the child does a commendable work he should be reinforced so he is inspired to repeat the good act. Punishment works best when balanced with rewards or reinforcements. Similarly, observational behavior works well when the parent becomes the role model and consciously perform the desired actions. The child who sees the respect his parent garners from others will automatically start imitating the parent and follow the footsteps. As a famous English proverb goes “actions speak louder than words”(old English proverb) so will the parent's action speak too. According to me a healthy mix of operant conditioning and observational style will create good parenting skills and in turn a happy child.