Psychology Level 1 – What Is Learning?

 This section, 6.1 What Is Learning?, introduces one of the most important ideas in psychology: how experience changes behaviour.

Here is an Easy Read / Level 1 learner version that would work well for your book, website, or training materials.

(Easy Read Version)

What is learning?

Learning is a lasting change in behaviour, knowledge, or skills that happens because of experience.

Simple definition:

Learning = changing because of experience.

Examples:

• A child learns to ride a bicycle.

• An adult learns to use a computer.

• A dog learns to sit when asked.

• A person learns to avoid touching a hot stove.

What is NOT learning?

Not every change is learning.

These changes are not usually counted as learning:

Reflexes

Not learning

Blinking when something comes near your eye.

Natural growth

Not learning

Getting taller as you grow older.

Temporary changes

Not learning

Feeling sleepy after taking medicine.

The three parts of learning

Psychologists often look for three things:

1

Experience

Something happens

2

Change

The brain learns

3

Behaviour

You do something differently

Example

Touching a hot pan

1

Experience: You touch a hot pan.

Result: It hurts.

2

Change: Your brain remembers the danger.

3

Behaviour: Next time, you use an oven glove.

That is learning because your behaviour changed after experience.

Experience → Memory → Safer action

Types of learning

This chapter will later explain several types of learning.

#	Type	Simple meaning
1	Classical Conditioning	Learning by association
2	Operant Conditioning	Learning through rewards and consequences
3	Observational Learning	Learning by watching others

Why is learning important?

Learning helps us:

• develop skills

• communicate

• stay safe

• work and study

• become more independent

• adapt to new situations

Learning and the brain

When we learn, the brain forms and strengthens connections between nerve cells (neurons).

The more we practise something, the stronger those connections can become.

This is why practice often helps learning.

Easy Read Summary

Learning is a lasting change caused by experience.

Growing older or reflexes are not usually learning.

The brain changes when we learn.

Practice helps strengthen learning.

We learn through experience, rewards, and watching other people.

Quick Quiz

1. What is learning?

Answer: B

A. Getting taller

B. A lasting change from experience

C. Falling asleep

2. True or False?

Answer: False

All changes in behaviour are learning.

True

False

3. Which is an example of learning?

Answer: A

A. Learning to use a phone

B. Blinking when dust enters your eye

C. Growing older

4. What helps strengthen learning?

Answer: Practice

Practice

One Sentence to Remember

Learning is when experience changes what we know, feel, or do.

Based on OpenStax Psychology 2e, Section 6.1: What Is Learning?