Learning Theories of Development

Learning Objectives

In this lesson, you will learn to:

• Summarize the history of learning theory.
• Describe the three major learning theories.
• Explain the differences between classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning.

What is Learning Theory?

During the early part of the twentieth-century, a number of psychologists became increasingly interested in turning psychology into a more scientific endeavor. To be more scientific, they argued, psychology needed to study only those things that could be measured and quantified.

• Classical Conditioning
• Operant Conditioning
• Social Learning
• Learning and Conditioning Quiz