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Introduction to Psychology: The Psychology of Learning

Explore how new behaviours are learnt by examining different types of psychological conditioning.

50,099 enrolled on this course

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  • Duration

    2 weeks
  • Weekly study

    6 hours

Understand the different ways we learn

How do people learn different behaviours? How does biology affect our ability to learn new things?

On this course you will answer these questions and others, exploring the psychology of learning. You will consider the difference between learned and instinctive behaviours and approaches to how we learn - for instance, you’ve probably heard of Pavlov and his dog, an example of classical conditioning. But you’ll also learn about operant conditioning (learning behaviours based on positive or negative consequences), and observational learning (watching other people and imitating their behaviour).

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Skip to 0 minutes and 12 seconds ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR MATTHEW E.

Skip to 0 minutes and 12 seconds MUNDY PHD: How do we learn and remember, and what factors can influence our learning? What role does reward and punishment play in shaping our behaviour? Hi. I’m Matthew Mundy, I’m the Director of Education for the School of Psychological Sciences at Monash University in Australia. In this course, you’ll explore the psychology of learning. You’ll find out about the influence of behaviourism and biological factors within the study of learning. You’ll also investigate the basic principles of classical and operant conditioning, and because psychology doesn’t operate within a vacuum, you’ll have the chance to apply what you know to a real world situation. This introductory course is designed for everyone, regardless of experience or background.

Skip to 0 minutes and 54 seconds However, learners who have already completed a bachelor degree in a discipline other than psychology and who are interested in expanding their science and research skills would be able to receive additional benefits from completing this course. No prior study of psychology is required or expected. The great thing about this course is that it’s part of a set of courses that creative a for credit pathway into Monash University’s fully online Graduate Diploma of Psychology. That means learners who successfully complete the full set of courses and who are accepted into the Graduate Diploma will receive one unit of academic credit.

Skip to 1 minute and 27 seconds So if you want to learn more about the behaviours, principals, and factors that impact the way we learn, and you are ready to complete a set of courses that can help you enter a fully online course by a school of psychological sciences that’s ranked among the best in the world, then I encourage you to join us in this course.

What topics will you cover?

  • What is learning?
  • Classical conditioning
  • Operant conditioning
  • Observational learning

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Discuss the term 'learning'.
  • Interpret the influence of behaviourism on the study of learning.
  • Explain the basic principles of classical and operant conditioning.
  • Identify the role of classical and/or operant conditioning in a real-world situation.
  • Explain how biological factors can influence some forms of learning.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in learning psychology.

It will be of particular use to learners who have already completed a Bachelor degree in other disciplines who are interested in expanding their science and research skills.

Complete this course, then the program

This course is part of the Introduction to Psychology Program, based on the first unit of Monash University’s fully online Graduate Diploma of Psychology (GDP).

Learners who successfully complete the seven courses in the Program and who are accepted into the Graduate Diploma of Psychology will receive one unit of academic credit.

Who will you learn with?

I am Associate Professor and Director of Education for the School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Australia. My research is in the cognitive neuroscience of memory and perception.

Who developed the course?

Monash University

Monash University is one of Australia’s leading universities, ranked in the world’s top 1% by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. It was established in Melbourne in 1958.

  • Established

    1958
  • Location

    Melbourne, Australia
  • World ranking

    Top 60Source: QS World University Rankings 2021

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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Join the conversation on social media

You can use the hashtag #FLPsychL to talk about this course on social media.