Question

For each of the situations described, name the process involved (classical conditioning, operant conditioning, latent learning, instinctive drift, observational learning) and the psychologist(s) associated with it. Lisa transfers to a new college and spends her first few days on campus getting oriented. A week later she decides to have lunch at the college cafeteria. Although she has never eaten there before, she has no problem finding it. Process _________ Psychologist(s) ________

Short answer

Process: Latent Learning Psychologist(s): Edward Tolman

Step-by-step solution

Identify the learning process involved

In this situation, Lisa has learned the location of the cafeteria without directly experiencing it before. This suggests the process of latent learning, where knowledge is acquired without any immediate reinforcement or application. #Step 2: Identifying the psychologist(s)#

Find the psychologist(s) associated with the process

The psychologist associated with latent learning is Edward Tolman, who conducted experiments on rats to demonstrate cognitive maps and the effects of latent learning. Process: Latent Learning Psychologist(s): Edward Tolman

Key concepts

Edward Tolman

Edward Tolman was a prominent psychologist, known for his influential work on cognitive processes in animals and humans. He challenged prevailing behavioral theories by suggesting that learning can occur in the absence of immediate rewards. Tolman's experiments with rats played a significant role in developing his ideas.
Instead of the stimulus-response behaviorist model, he introduced the concept of "purposive behaviorism," which emphasizes the importance of goals and cognitive maps in learning.
Tolman’s work signified a shift from behaviorism to a more cognitive approach, underscoring that organisms, including humans, can learn about their environment in a passive way and store the knowledge for future use. His research provided a foundation for modern cognitive psychology and expanded our understanding of how learning occurs.

Cognitive Maps

Cognitive maps are mental representations of the spatial layout of one's environment. The concept was pioneered by Edward Tolman, who proposed that organisms not only respond to stimuli but also build internal maps.
This means individuals can navigate and understand their surroundings by mentally visualizing routes and locations, even if they have never directly experienced them. For instance, Lisa finding the cafeteria at her new college demonstrates her use of a cognitive map.
Cognitive maps allow for flexible navigation and decision-making because they enable the individual to infer routes and make plans based on their mental model rather than solely relying on trial and error learning. These maps show how learning encompasses more than just observable behavior, integrating knowledge-processing aspects that explain latent learning.

Learning Processes

Learning processes refer to the various methods through which organisms acquire, process, and retain knowledge. Different learning processes include classical conditioning, operant conditioning, latent learning, and observational learning, each involving unique mechanisms and principles.
Latent learning, in particular, is a process where knowledge is acquired without immediate rewards or reinforcements. It allows for the storage of information in the absence of direct application or motivation. This type of learning becomes evident when the knowledge is later used to solve a problem or navigate an environment, much like Lisa finding her way to the cafeteria.
The concept of latent learning challenges traditional views that learning occurs only through conditioning, highlighting that internal mental states and representations play a crucial role in how we learn and adapt.