Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

4-25-2025

Keywords

ability to learn, acquisition of knowledge, adults, associative learning (learning relationships between objects/behaviors), behavior, behavior modification, birth, daily human behavior, everyday actions, experience, formal learning (instructor-led learning), function in society, human beings, informal learning (learning outside formal instruction), infants, instructor, knowledge, learning, lifelong learning, modification, common objects, school, school learning, school systems, social learning, society, students, context text, text discussion, common types, womb, young children

Disciplines

Developmental Psychology

Abstract

Learning is broadly defined as the acquisition or modification of behavior or knowledge through experience. While learning is perhaps most apparent within the context of students in school, learning begins from birth (perhaps even in the womb) and continues throughout the lifespan. Without the ability to learn from our experiences, we would not be able to function in society. Although there are many types of learning, this entry focuses on three common types.  First, associative learning, or the ability to learn about the relationship between two objects or behaviors, is exhibited by human beings every day. Second, formal learning (learning that occurs with an instructor) is prominent in our school systems. Third, informal learning, any learning that occurs outside of formal instruction, is perhaps one of the most common types of learning for infants, young children, and adults who are not in school. This entry provides a brief discussion of these three different types of learning.

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