Any relatively permanent change in behavior brought about by experience or practice is called?

Appeared in: UPPSC-2021

Explanation

Learning is defined as a relatively permanent change in behavior, or the potential for behavior, that results from experience.
The term 'relatively permanent' is crucial because it excludes temporary changes in behavior caused by factors like fatigue, illness, or the influence of drugs.
This change is brought about by experience, which can be direct (doing something) or vicarious (observing someone else).

Option A: Maturation refers to changes that result from natural biological growth and development, not from experience or practice.
Option B: Motivation is the internal process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors. It is the 'why' behind a behavior, not the change in behavior itself.
Option D: Observation is a method or process through which learning can occur (i.e., observational learning), but it is not the term for the resulting behavioral change itself.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The definition of learning in psychology as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the definition of learning is critical for patient education. Nurses must create teaching plans that provide opportunities for practice and feedback to ensure patients acquire and retain new health-related behaviors.
When a patient fails to follow a treatment plan, it's important to assess whether the issue is a lack of learning (they don't understand), a lack of motivation (they don't want to), or a physical limitation (they can't).
What if a patient with diabetes consistently has high blood sugar? A nurse must determine if this is because the patient never learned how to properly check their glucose (a learning issue), or if they are choosing not to for other reasons (a motivation or compliance issue). The intervention would be different for each case.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrases in the question stem: 'relatively permanent change in behavior' and 'brought about by experience or practice'.
This is a definition-based question. Your goal is to match these key phrases to the correct psychological term.
Evaluate each option against the definition.
Maturation is biological growth, not from experience.
Motivation is the drive for behavior, not the change itself.
Observation is a way to learn, not the change itself.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QyB5YahBUhUNqrHzuOJ7hi

E6 Psychology Baron Misra 5e Part 1 p. 172-174

E6 Psychology Applied Sreevani 6e Sem1 p. 192-194

E6 Psychology Applied Sreevani 5e p. 191-193

Practise the full UPPSC-2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.