The process of learning is continuous which starts right from the time of birth of an individual and
continues till the death. We all are engaged in the learning endeavours in order to develop our
adaptive capabilities as per the requirements of the changing environment.
For a learning to occur, two things are important:
1. The presence of a stimulus in the environment and
2. The innate dispositions like emotional and instinctual dispositions.
A person keeps on learning across all the stages of life, by constructing or reconstructing experiences
under the influence of emotional and instinctual dispositions.
Psychologists in general define Learning as relatively permanent behavioural modifications which
take place as a result of experience. This definition of learning stresses on three important elements
of learning:
Learning involves a behavioural change which can be better or worse.
This behavioural change should take place as a result of practice and experience.
Changes resulting from maturity or growth cannot be considered as learning
This behavioural change must be relatively permanent and last for a relatively long
time enough.
John B Watson is one amongst the first thinkers who has proven that behavioural changes occur as a
result of learning. Watson is believed to be the founder of Behavioural school of thought, which
gained its prominence or acceptability around the first half of the 20th century.
Gales defined Learning as the behavioural modification which occurs as a result of experience as well
as training.
Crow and Crow defined learning as the process of acquisition of knowledge, habits and attitudes.
According to E.A, Peel, Learning can be described as a change in the individual which takes place as a
result of the environmental change.
H.J. Klausmeir described Learning as a process which leads to some behavioural change as a result of
some experience, training, observation, activity, etc.
The key characteristics of the learning process are:
6. When described in the simplest possible manner, learning is described as an
experience acquisition process.
7. In the complex form, learning can be described as process of acquisition, retention
and modification of experience.
8. It re-establishes the relationship between a stimulus and response.
9. It is a method of problem solving and is concerned about making adjustments with
the environment.
10. It involves all those gamut of activities which may have a relatively permanent effect
on the individual.
11. The process of learning is concerned about experience acquisition, retention of
experiences, and experience development in a step by step manner, synthesis of
both old and new experiences for creating a new pattern.
12. Learning is concerned about cognitive, conative and affective aspects. Knowledge
acquisition process is cognitive, any change in the emotions is affective and conative
is acquisition of new habits or skills.
eaning, definition and characteristics of learning
Learning can be defined as a relatively permanent change in behavior or knowledge that results from
experience. It involves acquiring new information, knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values, and
applying them to different situations.
The characteristics of learning include:
1. Active process: Learning is an active process that involves the learner actively engaging with
the material, rather than simply receiving information passively.
2. Continuous: Learning is a continuous process that occurs throughout life, as individuals
encounter new experiences and challenges.
3. Personal: Learning is a personal process that is influenced by individual differences in
motivation, interests, and learning styles.
4. Social: Learning can also be a social process that occurs through interactions with others,
such as peers, teachers, and mentors.
5. Contextual: Learning is contextual, meaning that it is influenced by the environment in which
it occurs, including the physical, social, and cultural context.
6. Complex: Learning is a complex process that involves multiple cognitive and emotional
processes, including attention, memory, motivation, and metacognition.
7. Goal-oriented: Learning is often goal-oriented, with learners striving to achieve specific
objectives or outcomes.
8. Feedback-driven: Feedback is an important part of the learning process, helping learners to
evaluate their performance, identify areas for improvement, and make adjustments to their
approach.
Overall, learning is a complex, dynamic, and multifaceted process that is influenced by a range of
internal and external factors, and can lead to significant changes in behavior, knowledge, and
understanding.
