Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 101676

Coordinator Gabrielle Weidemann Opens in new window

Description Human Learning is concerned with the experimental analysis of human and animal behaviour and focuses upon associative learning, including classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning approaches. Definitions, assumptions, and basic phenomena associated with the study of learning are described and evaluated in terms of their ability to account for various aspects of human behaviour and experience. The practical work highlights important concepts introduced in the lecture program and focuses upon practical techniques of use in everyday situations.

School Psychology

Discipline Behavioural Science

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 2 subject

Restrictions

Note that only students enrolled at WSU Online may register in the WSU Online subjects offered at that location.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understanding of the basic principles of associative learning and social learning theory (APAC Graduate Attribute 1.1i, 1.1v, 1.3)
2. Use basic principles of associative learning and social learning theory to attempt to modify their own behaviour to bring it into line with their stated goals (APAC GA 1.1v, 1.2, 1.5)
3. Describe the therapeutic techniques derived from learning theory (APAC GA 1.1iv, 1.1v)
4. Measure and record their own behaviour, explain and defend the method used, and evaluate whether it appropriately quantifies the identified target behaviour (APAC GA 1.2, 1.3, 1.6)
5. Individually and with others, apply basic principles of associative learning and social learning theory beyond the examples given in lectures and tutorials to new situations and identify how these principles might work (APAC GA 1.1v, 1.3, 1.5)
6. Summarise the ideas of associative learning and social learning theories and explain how they can be differentiated from other similar concepts in the form of a report and an audio-visual presentation (APAC GA 1.1v, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6)

Subject Content

Lectures:
Paradigms in the investigation of learning
Habituation and sensitization
Pavlovian to Instrumental transfer
Pavlovian conditioning 1: The basics
Pavlovian conditioning 2: Connectionism and learning
Pavlovian conditioning 3: Applications
Operant conditioning 1: The basics
Operant conditioning 2: Reinforcement and punishment
Operant conditioning 3: Behavioural economics and choice
Learning and abnormal behaviour
Behaviour modification, behaviour therapy, and cognitive behaviour therapy
Learning and addiction
Learning and effective study methods
Tutorials:
Habituation in the snail
How to measure behaviour
Classical conditioning: Demonstration
Self-control: measuring your own behaviour
Classical conditioning: Concepts
Teaching learning employing mini-lectures
Operant conditioning: concepts
Assertion training and social behaviour
Case studies in behaviour change
Attitudes and learning and the implicit association test