Rural Sociology and Psycology

2.2.3.Process of Learning

Learning to takes place at different levels depending on prior experience of the learner, his intellectual ability and presentation of materials. This process can be categorized as

1. Association : All initial learning consists of information of association. Includes conditioning. Conditioning represent at a very simple level. Conditioning simple means establishment of a connection between response and a stimulus which has no natural connection with it. In his classical conditioning theory, Pavlov demonstrated secretion of saliva in dog as a response too an unrelated stimuli called ringing of bell under experimental conditions. The natural stimulus for a desired response is called as unconditioned stimulus and the response for this us is called as unconditioned response. The strange experimental stimulus to which a response is conditioned is called as conditioned stimulus and the response to this stimulus after the animal has been conditioned is called as conditioned response. Pavlov’s condition is called as classical conditioning.

2. Conceptualization: It is the process of grouping or abstracting the commonalities or relationships. Most of the higher learning in cognitive as well as effective domaints take place by conceptualization.

3. Creative and Self direction : This is the highest level of learning and under favourable conditions people are able to progress from association through a process of conceptualization to a kind of learning that characterizes the creative artist.