Types of Learning
Robert Gagne developed a learning hierarchy that has direct relevance to the debate on
transfer. According to his typology, an effective instruction program should be adapted to the
demands of each of the eight learning groups. He classified the eight basic categories into a
hierarchy. According to Gagne, the higher stages of learning in this hierarchy build on the lower
levels, needing ever more prior knowledge for success. The lowest four orders tend to
emphasize behavioral components of learning, whereas the top four emphasize cognitive
aspects.
At the lower end of Gagne’s hierarchy of learning are basic kinds of learning which he
groups as associations and chains.
There are two forms of association,
1. Signal Learning
2. Stimulus-Response Learning
The first is signal learning or classical conditioning, in which we learn to respond to a
stimulus or signal in a predictable manner. For example, when a car sounds the horn as we are
crossing the road, our eyes swivel towards the source of the noise and we quicken our steps.
This is the most basic type of learning, consisting primarily on the classical conditioning
first described by behavioral researcher Ivan Pavlov. In this case, the subject is 'conditioned' to
respond in a specific way in response to a stimulus that would not typically elicit that reaction.
This is accomplished by exposing the subject to the desired stimulus (known as the
conditioned stimulus) along with another stimulus (known as the unconditioned stimulus) that
naturally produces the desired response; after a certain number of repetitions of the double
stimulus, it is found that the subject emits the desired response when exposed to the
conditioned stimulus on its own. However, the use of classical conditioning to aid human
learning is extremely limited.
Examples of Signal Learning:
The withdrawal of the hand when confronted with a hot object. (The signal is the sight of
the hot object, and the conditioned response is the withdrawal of the hand.)
The Salivation of a dog upon hearing food poured into the metal feeding dish. (The
signal is the sound of the food being poured in the dish, and the conditioned response is
the salivation.)
The tearing of eyes upon exposed with a sliced onion. (The signal is the sight of the
sliced onion, and the conditioned response is the tearing of the eyes.)
Classical Conditioning
Classical conditioning is first described by Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist. It focuses
on involuntary, automatic behaviors. Classical conditioning is a type of learning that happens
unconsciously. Classical conditioning, initially described by Ivan Pavlov, occurs when a
particular response to a stimulus becomes conditioned to respond to another associated
stimulus.
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There are five key elements when discussing Classical Conditioning which are:
Unconditioned Stimulus (US), Unconditioned Response (UR), Neutral Stimulus (NS),
Conditioned Stimulus (CS) and Conditioned Response (CR).
● Unconditioned Stimulus (US) is the stimulus that leads to an automatic response.
● Unconditioned Response (UR) is an unlearned response that occurs naturally in
reaction to the unconditioned stimulus.
● Neutral Stimulus (NS) is a stimulus which initially produces no specific response other
than focusing attention. In classical conditioning, when used together with an
unconditioned stimulus, the neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus.
● Conditioned Stimulus (CS) is a stimulus that can eventually trigger a conditioned
response.
● Conditioned Response (CR) is the learned response to the conditioned stimulus.
Ivan Pavlov conducted a famous study involving dogs in which he trained or conditioned
the dogs to associate the sound of a bell with the presence of a piece of meat. The conditioning
is achieved when the sound of the bell on its own makes the dog salivate in anticipation for the
meat.
In Pavlov's experiment, it involves pairing a previously neutral stimulus such as the
sound of a bell with an unconditioned stimulus the taste of food. This unconditioned stimulus
naturally and automatically triggers salivating as a response to the food, which is known as the
unconditioned response. After associating the neutral stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus,
the sound of the bell alone will start to evoke salivating as a response. The sound of the bell is
now known as the conditioned stimulus and salivating in response to the bell is known as the
conditioned response.
Examples of Classical conditioning:
● Whenever you come home wearing a baseball cap, you take your child to the park to
play. So, whenever your child sees you come home with a baseball cap, he is excited
because he has associated your baseball cap with a trip to the park.
● When a child goes in for a routine immunization, they may not know exactly what to
expect. After they feel the slight pain of the shot, they may start to cry and get upset at
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just the sight of the needle on subsequent visits. If there is a lineup of children, the kids
further back in the line can start to get upset when they see other children crying after
receiving their immunizations.
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