Learning and Behavior

by James E. Mazur

This book reviews how people and animals learn and how their behaviors are later changed as a result of this learning. Nearly all of our behaviors are influenced by prior learning experiences in some way. This book describes some of the most important principles, theories, controversies, and experiments that pertain to learning and behavior that are applicable to many different species and many different learning situations. Many real-world examples and analogies make the concepts and theories more concrete and relevant to the students. In addition, most of the chapters include sections that describe how the theories and principles have been used in the applied field of behavior modification. Each chapter in the seventh edition was updated with new studies and new references that reflect recent developments in the field. The book includes a number of learning aids for students, including a list of learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter, practices quizzes and review questions, and a glossary for all important terms.

Learning & Behavior covers topics such as classical and operant conditioning, reinforcement schedules, avoidance and punishment, stimulus control, comparative cognition, observational learning, motor skill learning, and choice. Both the classic studies and the most recent developments and trends in the field are explored. Although the behavioral approach is emphasized, many cognitive theories are covered as well along with a chapter on comparative cognition.

Upon completing this book readers will be able to: understand the field of learning and discuss real-world applications of learning principles.



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Genres: Psychology, Textbooks, Nonfiction, Science, School

448 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Karen Machin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative book and lots of good information on learning and behavior. While the content is excellent, it is not clear what the current accepted understanding is. This book presents lots of historical information and alternative theories which are important but it’s difficult to determine what the take away message is at times.

[Wesley Malvini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative

[mylittlebooktavern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Required for psych class. Love psychology and have a passion for it but dear lord this book tested me. Never felt more like an idiot.

[João Lopes · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a psychology student, this book was a required reading for my Psychology of Learning class, and I must confess, that I've only been able to read 10 of the 13 chapters of the book (although I'll probably finish reading in the near future).

In my opinion, this work should be in every respected Behaviorist's bookshelf. As you read (and as I hope you will), you notice how much effort and diligence the author put in it's work. Every chapter aims to provide an extensive and detailed contemporary and historic literature about a major topic of Learning and Behavior in 25 pages or so, which, from my perspective, is done exquisitely well. It always starts with simpler concepts and theories, developing naturally to more complex ones without leaving the reader behind. One particular point I appreciated from this reading, was the care than went into serve the reader with contemporary practical applications in almost every relevant issue.

However, the reason my rating for this book isn't higher, rests on the fact that I've been reading the 7th edition (from 2014). This simple predicament made me not enjoy it so much, simply because some of the topics that I found more compelling, where partially outdated, forcing me to find the most recent literature on the topic. Obviously, for this reason, two more editions were completed and published to date (December 2023) which, unfortunately, are quite expensive for a student.

All in all, I commend the author for the excellent work, and I hope to get a newer edition on me every chance i get.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Up until this year, I used this book as the text in my learning class and found it pretty good.

[Shaibusafalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

****

[Nataša · Rating 3 out of 5]

Procitana poglavlja stavljena na MudRi, ne bas sve (ali vecina).