I. Introduction To Learning & Memory

A. The Study Of Learning & Memory

1. The Relevance of Learning

a. Mechanisms for Reacting: Adaptation

i. Reflexes

ii. Instincts

iii. Learning

b. Definition of Learning

i. Types of Learning

a) procedural/skill learning
b) declarative learning

ii. Formal Definition

a) relevance of components
b) ambiguity of term "responding"

iii. Some Common Paradigms

2. The Relevance of Memory

a. Learning Alters Memory

b. Memory Influences New Learning

c. Memory Reduces Stimulus Complexity

d. Memory Allows Pre-Testing of Responses

B. Two Traditions

1. Differences In Learning & Memory Experts

a. Skill versus Knowledge

b. Animal versus Human Subjects

c. Behavior (as object of study): Primary versus Secondary

2. Background

a. Rationalism & Memory

i. Plato

                    a) mentalism
                    b) nativism
                    c) role of reasoning

ii. More Recently...

                    a) mentalism
                    b) problem solving & reasoning approach
                    c) some nativism (e.g., language)

b. Empiricism & Learning

i. Aristotle

                    a) tabula rasa
                    b) connectionism: laws of association
                    c) atomism

ii. Watson & Behaviorism

                    a) positivism
                    b) what is observable
                    c) definition of Psychology
                    d) additional assumptions

iii. Problems with Watsonian Extremism

3. Combining the Traditions

a. Methodological Behaviorism

b. Associations & the Structure of Reality

c. Species Similarities & Differences

C. Scientific Reasoning

1. Theories & Findings

2. Experiments

a. Independent & Dependent Variables (& Graphs)

b. Simplest Design: Experimental vs. Control Group

c. Experiments & Theories: Karl Popper & Thomas Kuhn