Learning Theory: The Foundations of Human Behavior

4.0 credits

Psychology is a natural science with one simple purpose: predict, explain, and change human behavior. Learning theory, not to be confused with pedagogy, was developed nearly a century ago to meet this singular purpose. Since that time, it has become a driving force in psychological science because it approaches the study of human behavior from a multiple levels of analysis and multiple timescales perspective. Meaning, at its core, learning theory offers scientific explanations for how we “learned” to do what we do each day, from our biological states and moods to choosing the outfit we’re wearing right now, as well as long-term patterns, such as how we interact with our roommates during an argument, parent our children, and treat physical and behavioral health disorders. So, how is it that you never heard of learning theory? This course is your chance to get an in-depth introduction to learning theory so that you can not only understand psychology as a natural science but harness its power for making changes in your life - now and in the future. We begin with the origins of learning theory, from its philosophical foundations in empiricism and pragmatism to it being a formal response to prevailing theories of its time, such as eugenics and psychoanalysis. We review not only its central tenets but also the “rock stars” of learning theory, including Thorndike, Watson, Hull, Tolman, and Skinner. We then do a deep dive into the scientific laws generated from learning theory, the concepts of classical and operant conditioning, the principles and techniques of reinforcement and punishment, the internal and external sources of control over human behavior and how to change them, and the criticisms levied against learning theory. We wrap up by showing how learning theory plays a major role in modern science, including human evolution, neuroscience, human language and cognition, social learning, behavioral economics, and the treatment of psychiatric disorders. If you are interested in how psychology is a natural science or want a deeper understanding of it to advance your scientific pursuit of developmental, social, and clinical psychology, then this is the course for you.