Learned Behavior

Definition

Learned behavior refers to actions or responses that are acquired through experience and observation rather than being genetically inherited. These behaviors are shaped and modified by rewards, punishments, modeling, and other learning processes.

Theoretical Perspectives

Learned behavior encompasses changes in an individual's actions or conduct resulting from experiences. Behavioral, social learning, and cognitive theories particularly highlight how environmental interactions shape behavior.

Study And Research Findings

Albert Bandura's Bobo doll experiment (1961) demonstrated observational learning, showing that children imitate aggressive behaviors modeled by adults. B.F. Skinner's work on operant conditioning also elucidates how consequences of actions influence learned behaviors.

Related terms

Classical Conditioning:

Classical conditioning is a type of learning in which an organism learns to associate two stimuli together through repeated pairings.

Operant Conditioning:

Operant conditioning is a form of learning in which behavior is strengthened or weakened based on its consequences.

Observational Learning:

Observational learning occurs when individuals acquire new behaviors or information by watching and imitating others.