Find over 25,000 psychological definitions


learning theory

a body of concepts and principles that seek to explain the learning process. Learning theory actually encompasses a number of specific theories whose common interest is the description of the basic laws of learning, usually derived from studies of classical and instrumental conditioning and verbal learning. These include Hull’s mathematico-deductive theory of learning, the purposive behaviorism of Edward C. Tolman, the Rescorla–Wagner theory, and the comparator hypothesis, among others.

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

May 8th 2024

Down syndrome

Down syndrome

a chromosomal disorder characterized by an extra chromosome 21 and manifested by a round flat face and eyes that seem to slant (the disorder was formerly known as mongolism). Brain size and weight are below average; affected individuals usually have mild to severe intellectual disability and have been characterized as having docile, agreeable dispositions. Muscular movements tend to be slow, clumsy, and uncoordinated. In many cases, growth is stunted, the tongue is thick, and the fingers are stubby. Affected individuals may have heart defects and respiratory insufficiencies or anomalies that are often corrected during infancy by surgery. However, lifespan is reduced compared with that in the general population, and affected individuals typically show early onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Down syndrome is one of the most common physiological causes of intellectual disability. Also called Langdon Down’s disease; trisomy 21. See also autosomal trisomy of group G. [described in 1866 by John Langdon Haydon Down (1828–1896), British physician]