Management and Organizational Studies 3321F/G Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Brand Equity, Reinforcement, Classical Conditioning
Document Summary
Learning relatively permanent change in behaviour that is caused by experience. This experience does not have to affect the learner directly. We can learn vicariously by observing events that affect others. We also learn when we aren"t even trying to. This causal unintentional acquisition of knowledge is known as incidental learning. Our knowledge about the world is constantly being revised. We are exposed to new stimuli and receive ongoing feedback that allows us to modify behaviour in other situations at a later time. Behavioural learning theories assume that learning takes place as the result of responses to external events, as opposed to internal thought process. Psychologists who subscribe to this view point do not focus on internal thought processes. Instead they approach the mind as a black box that cannot be directly investigated and emphasize the observable aspects of behaviour.