Some Important Principles in Learning

There are number of important principles in learning .

1.Extinction

Extinction takes place when there is no longer a positive consequences for the behaviour . For instance , let's take the example of meeting a deadline . If the management stops the bonus for meeting deadlines you will immediately stop your attempts to meet deadline in the future. Extinction takes place in negative reinforcement situations too. Suppose you are attempting to meet a deadline to reduce anxiety , but if your attempt does not remove the anxiety , you will not continue that behaviour . Therefore , it can be said that extinction can be experienced in both situations . This principle can be applied to situation where someone wants to stop another's behaviour , which is considered as unnecessary or undesirable .

2. Punishment

Punishment succeeds in changing or stopping present behaviour rather than acquiring new behaviour . Many learning theories do not prefer punishment as a useful 'method' because it may lead to unexpected consequences. For instance , when the management punished a worker for not working overtime in a working day , the worker might decide to leave the organization or resort to trade union action . Although punishment leads to this type of " unexpected " consequences , sometimes , it can be of limited use.