PSYC 2515 Foundations of Learning | College of Extended Learning | UNB

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College of Extended Learning

Foundations of Learning

Subject Course No. Credit Value
Psychology PSYC 2515 Three (3) credit hours

In this course, we will examine the psychological theories of learning, including cognitive, social, and behavioural theories of learning. These are discussed in terms of their interrelatedness and the research supporting each. Topics that we will cover include principles of human behaviour, conditioning, and non-associative and associative learning.

Contact the instructor to request a syllabus.

Instructor: Ashley Daniel
Prerequisite: Introductory Psychology (6ch). Students who have received credit for PSYC 2613 cannot receive credit for PSYC 2515.

What you will learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Compare and contrast the behavioural vs. cognitive theories of learning, describe early theories of learning and describe changes that occur in the brain as a result of learning.
  • Discuss and provide examples of innate behaviour patterns and habituation.
  • Explain how classical conditioning works, provide examples of classical conditioning, and summarize research findings on the neural mechanisms of classical conditioning and explain how classical conditioning plays a role in drug tolerance and addiction. 
  • Explain the basic principles of operant conditioning and other concepts such as shaping and instinctive drift. 
  • Compare and contrast simple reinforcement schedules and their effects on behaviour, explain and provide examples of extinction, compare and contrast various theories of predicting reinforcers, and describe the field of behavioural economics.
  • Describe and provide examples of avoidance and learned helplessness, discuss the use of punishment, including its side effects and factors that influence its effectiveness, and describe other behaviour decelerators.
  • Describe behavioural contrast, explain generalization gradients, and discuss whether they are learned or innate, and explain stimulus control and discrimination training with examples.
  • Compare and contrast theories of imitation and describe modeling.
  • Explain the matching law and how it relates to making choices and self-control.
  • Write a paper using the knowledge you have learned in this course.

Students have six months from the registration date to complete the course. All course exams and/or assignments must be completed by the designated end date.

Assignments and examinations

  • 9 x Quizzes (20%)
  • 1 x Midcourse exam (invigilated, 30%)
  • 1 x Assignment (20%)
  • 1 x Final Exam (invigilated, 30%)

The exam(s) for this course will be invigilated on an approved date using Respondus e-proctoring software (LockDown Browser and Monitor). This is a free tool provided with this course; a webcam is required. More information will be given once you have been registered.

Fees and payments

There is a $150 non-refundable/non-transferable online fee per course in addition to applicable tuition & fees. Learn more about our payment options.

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