Learned Behavior Example and Definition
Learned behavior is defined as behavior that is acquired through experience and observation, rather than being innate or instinctive. Essentially, it’s any action that an individual develops as a result of interacting with their environment and learning from those interactions. This contrasts with behaviors that are genetically programmed or instinctual. From simple everyday actions to complex skills, a vast majority of our behaviors are learned throughout our lives.
Definition of Learned Behavior
Learned behaviors are not something we are born knowing how to do. Consider activities like using a smartphone, navigating the internet, or preparing a meal. These are all skills that are developed over time. We acquire them through various means such as direct instruction, practice, trial and error, or simply by watching and imitating others, a process known as observational learning. Sometimes, learning can even occur without immediate outward expression, known as latent learning, where knowledge is gained but only becomes apparent later when needed.
To put it precisely:
Learned behavior is an action or set of actions that develops in an organism through experience, practice, and observation over a period of time.
It’s crucial to understand that learned behavior is not inborn; it must be taught or acquired through experience. Furthermore, the scope of learned behaviors is broad, encompassing both positive and negative aspects. We learn socially acceptable behaviors like good manners, but also, unfortunately, unethical behaviors such as aggression or prejudice can be learned through cultural or social influences.
Examples of Learned Behavior
1. Riding a Bicycle
Learning to ride a bike is a classic example of learned behavior, often seen as a rite of passage. The bicycle represents independence and the thrill of exploration.
Mastering bike riding involves a progression of learned steps. Initially, balance is key. Many beginners start with training wheels to get accustomed to the feeling of being upright and steering. This initial phase helps develop the foundational skills needed for balance and control.
Once training wheels are removed, the learning process intensifies. Often, a parent or guardian will provide support by holding onto the bike seat, assisting with balance as the learner pedals. This support is gradually reduced until the individual can balance and pedal independently. First attempts might be wobbly and end with minor mishaps, but through practice and repetition, the skill solidifies. Riding a bike, a universally recognized learned behavior, becomes a significant accomplishment, blending skill acquisition with a sense of freedom.
2. Manners and Social Etiquette
Manners are excellent Learned Behavior Examples deeply rooted in social norms. They are culturally defined and essential for harmonious social interactions, contributing to what is often termed prosocial behavior. What’s considered polite or rude can vary significantly across cultures, highlighting the learned nature of manners.
For instance, consider dining etiquette. In some cultures, a loud burp after a meal is seen as a compliment to the chef, indicating satisfaction. However, in many Western cultures, this would be considered impolite, a social faux pas. This stark contrast illustrates how manners are not innate but learned and dictated by cultural context.
Another example is queuing or standing in line. In some societies, orderly lines are the norm, reflecting values of patience and fairness. People wait their turn, even for small things. In contrast, other cultures might prioritize assertiveness, where “pushing in” or vying for position is more common. These differences in queuing behavior underscore how even seemingly simple social interactions are governed by learned cultural norms and expectations. The vast spectrum of manners worldwide demonstrates the powerful influence of culture on learned behavior.
3. Public Speaking Skills
Public speaking is a quintessential learned behavior, rarely a natural talent. For many, the fear of public speaking ranks higher than death, highlighting the anxiety associated with it. Even individuals who appear naturally gifted at public speaking have honed their skills through practice and preparation.
Effective public speaking starts with careful planning. Crafting a speech involves considering the audience, tailoring the message, and structuring the content logically. This preparation phase is crucial and requires learned skills in writing, organization, and audience analysis.
Delivery is another aspect that demands learned behaviors. Projecting one’s voice confidently, avoiding mumbling or speaking too quickly due to nervousness, and maintaining eye contact are all techniques that are developed and refined through practice. Overcoming stage fright and delivering a compelling speech are testaments to the power of learned behavior in mastering a challenging skill. Many successful public speakers have invested considerable time and effort in learning and practicing their craft.
4. Reading Comprehension
Reading is arguably one of the most critical learned behaviors humans acquire, fundamental for education and personal development. It’s not an innate ability, but a complex skill that takes years to master. Without reading proficiency, formal education becomes significantly challenging, if not impossible.
Learning to read, especially in languages like English with complex phonics, is a gradual and demanding process. Children typically spend months just learning basic phonics – the sounds associated with letters. Decoding simple three-letter words is an initial hurdle.
Progressing to reading longer sentences and comprehending complex texts requires sustained effort and practice throughout primary school and beyond. While reading may seem effortless to proficient readers, it represents a significant achievement, the result of years of dedicated learning and practice. The ability to extract meaning from written words is a powerful learned behavior that unlocks vast opportunities for learning and engagement with the world.
5. Developing Empathy and Caring Behavior
While some aspects of human behavior, like aggression, might have innate components, empathy and caring are predominantly learned behaviors. The primary influence in learning these prosocial behaviors often comes from parents and caregivers. Children are keen observers, and observational learning plays a crucial role in their development of emotional responses and interpersonal skills.
Children learn by observing and imitating the behavior of their parents. If parents consistently demonstrate warmth, affection, and care, children are more likely to internalize these qualities and exhibit them in their own interactions. This positive modeling fosters the development of empathy and compassion.
Conversely, if children grow up in environments where parents are emotionally distant or cold, they might learn to adopt similar patterns of behavior. This underscores the powerful impact of learned behavior in shaping personality and emotional expression. Cultivating a warm and caring disposition is largely a product of learned social and emotional behaviors.
6. Gender Roles and Societal Expectations
Gender roles are a fascinating area of learned behavior, heavily studied by psychologists, sociologists, and anthropologists. Cultural factors significantly shape how societies define and perceive men and women. The sheer variety of gender expressions and expectations across cultures highlights the learned nature of gender roles.
Societal norms around gender are not static; they evolve over time and vary considerably across different cultures. What is considered “masculine” or “feminine” behavior is not universally fixed but is instead a product of cultural learning and societal expectations. A list of genders across cultures reveals a diverse spectrum of gender concepts, further illustrating the cultural construction of gender.
Even within a single society, gender roles can change dramatically within a few decades. In Western societies, for example, the perception of women has shifted towards strength and independence. Women are increasingly recognized for their capabilities in athletics, leadership, and various professional fields, challenging traditional gender stereotypes. This fluidity and cultural variability strongly indicate that gender roles are primarily learned behaviors, shaped by societal norms and cultural evolution.
7. Playing Musical Instruments
The enjoyment of music might be innate, but the ability to play a musical instrument is undoubtedly a learned behavior. Mastering an instrument requires dedication, practice, and time. Learning basic chords on a guitar or playing a simple tune on the piano is not an instantaneous process; it takes consistent effort and training.
Music is a universal human phenomenon, with diverse musical traditions and instruments found in nearly every culture. From Western string instruments to wind instruments discovered in ancient archaeological sites worldwide, the creation and performance of music are culturally ingrained learned behaviors.
Any skill that necessitates practice and repetition to achieve proficiency falls under the category of learned behavior, and playing a musical instrument is a prime example. The pleasure derived from creating and performing music is a reward for the learned skill and effort invested in mastering an instrument.
8. Culinary Skills and Cooking
Unless one consumes food entirely raw, cooking is an essential learned behavior for human survival and enjoyment of food. Cooking is likely one of the oldest and most fundamental learned behaviors in human history, evolving from simple techniques to complex culinary arts.
In its most basic form, cooking involved using fire to prepare food, a significant advancement in human development. The discovery and use of herbs and spices marked a further evolution, transforming cooking into a sophisticated practice involving flavor enhancement and culinary creativity.
Modern culinary arts are highly developed, with cooking shows, cookbooks, and culinary schools dedicated to teaching and refining cooking skills. From simple home cooking to haute cuisine served in top restaurants, the range of culinary skills showcases the extensive development of cooking as a learned behavior. Cooking has transformed from a basic necessity to a complex art form through learned techniques and cultural innovation.
9. Self-Discipline and Impulse Control
Self-discipline, the ability to control one’s actions, resist impulses, and work towards goals, is a crucial learned behavior. It involves regulating behavior to avoid unhealthy habits and to pursue short-term and long-term objectives. Self-discipline is not an innate trait but a skill developed over time.
Impulsivity, the tendency to act on immediate desires, is a strong innate drive. Overcoming impulsivity requires conscious effort and learned strategies for self-control. Developing self-discipline is an ongoing process, a “life-long battle” against impulsive tendencies.
However, in modern life, self-discipline is essential for achieving personal and professional success. From academic pursuits to career advancement and personal well-being, the ability to regulate behavior and delay gratification is a critical learned behavior necessary to navigate the complexities of contemporary life.
10. Scientific Reasoning and Critical Thinking
Scientific reasoning and critical thinking are highly advanced learned behaviors. Becoming a scientist typically requires extensive education, including years of university study, building upon prior schooling. Scientific thinking is fundamentally different from relying on intuition or “gut feelings.”
Intuitive thinking, while sometimes useful, can lead to inaccurate conclusions. Historically, the belief in a flat Earth illustrates how gut feelings and limited observation can result in misconceptions. Scientific reasoning, in contrast, relies on logic, evidence, and systematic inquiry.
Acquiring scientific reasoning skills demands significant time, training, and practice. It is a learned behavior that involves developing logical thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to evaluate evidence objectively. Scientific reasoning is considered one of the most sophisticated learned behaviors, distinguishing human cognitive abilities and driving scientific progress.
11. Athletic Skills and Sportsmanship
Becoming a skilled athlete requires immense dedication and effort, regardless of the sport. Athletic prowess in basketball, tennis, soccer, or any other sport is not innate but developed through years of training and practice.
Professional athletes often begin training at a young age, sometimes attending specialized training camps to learn advanced techniques. Many employ personal coaches to refine their skills and optimize their performance. Continuous learning and practice are integral to athletic improvement.
Despite dedicated effort, success in athletics is not guaranteed. The pursuit of professional athleticism is a challenging path, and only a small percentage of aspiring athletes reach the professional level. While innate talent might play a role, achieving athletic excellence is primarily a result of learned skills, persistent training, and dedicated practice over many years. Even with extensive learned behavior development, success remains competitive and elusive for many.
Learned Behavior in Animals
Learned behaviors are not exclusive to humans; they are also prevalent in the animal kingdom. Here are some examples of learned behavior in animals:
12. Dogs Learning Commands
Dogs are highly trainable and can learn a wide range of behaviors through conditioning. Classical conditioning, particularly using positive reinforcement, is a common method for training dogs. Rewarding desired behaviors, such as giving a treat when a dog sits on command, reinforces the learned action.
Common commands that dogs learn through training include “sit,” “stay,” “fetch,” “come,” and “roll over.” These commands are taught through repetition, positive reinforcement, and association of cues with desired actions.
Working dogs, such as sheepdogs and hunting dogs, learn more complex learned behaviors. Sheepdogs learn to herd and manage livestock through training and socialization with experienced working dogs. Hunting dogs learn to track, chase, and retrieve prey, as well as to inhibit harmful behavior towards captured animals. Learned behavior in dogs extends from basic commands to complex task-oriented actions. Sadly, negative learned behaviors can also occur, such as a dog developing fear or aggression towards humans due to past abuse, demonstrating the broad impact of learned experiences.
13. Rat Conditioning in Experiments
The conditioning experiments conducted by B.F. Skinner with rats are classic examples of learned behavior in animals. Skinner taught rats to navigate mazes and manipulate levers to obtain food rewards, demonstrating operant conditioning.
Initially, rats were slow and hesitant in mazes. However, through repeated exposure and consistent reinforcement (food rewards for correct actions), the rats developed conditioned responses. They learned to run through the mazes efficiently and activate levers, anticipating the food reward.
Skinner’s experiments extended beyond rats; he famously taught pigeons to play ping-pong, showcasing the broad applicability of conditioning principles. These experiments illustrate that animals, even without complex cognitive abilities, can learn behaviors through reward and punishment mechanisms. While not involving advanced reasoning, these examples demonstrate fundamental learned behaviors based on association and reinforcement.
14. Social Learning in Wolf Packs
Wolves, known for their intelligence, exhibit complex social behaviors that are largely learned within the pack structure. Social learning is crucial for young wolves to integrate into the pack and learn survival skills.
Young wolves learn pack hunting strategies by observing and following experienced adult wolves during hunts. They learn to respond to cues, coordinate movements, and strategize in group hunting scenarios. Learning to interpret signals from alpha wolves and other pack members is essential for effective cooperative hunting.
Wolves also learn individual behaviors based on their social hierarchy within the pack. Subordinate wolves learn to exhibit submissive behaviors towards dominant alpha wolves, understanding their roles and limitations within the pack dynamic. Social learning in wolves shapes both collective pack behaviors and individual roles within the pack hierarchy.
15. Bears Learning Campground Food Sources
Bears learning to associate campgrounds with food sources is an example of learned behavior driven by human-wildlife interaction. This often unintentional learning can lead to challenges in human-wildlife coexistence.
When bears find food in campgrounds, whether from unsecured garbage or accessible food storage, they learn to associate these locations with readily available meals. This learned association can lead bears to repeatedly return to campgrounds, creating potential conflicts with humans.
Conversely, bears can also learn avoidance behaviors, particularly in response to hunting pressure. Studies show that bears, and other wildlife like deer, may adapt their behavior during hunting seasons, becoming more nocturnal and avoiding areas with high human activity to minimize risk. This avoidance learning is a survival strategy developed in response to negative experiences or perceived threats from humans.
Conclusion
Learned behaviors are integral to both human and animal life, encompassing a vast array of skills and actions. From mastering everyday activities like riding a bike and cooking to developing complex abilities such as public speaking and scientific reasoning, learned behaviors shape our capabilities and interactions with the world. These behaviors, acquired through practice, observation, and experience, highlight our capacity for adaptation and growth.
Overcoming challenges, whether conquering the fear of public speaking or cultivating self-discipline for long-term goals, also relies on learned behaviors. Education, personal development, and societal progress are all underpinned by our ability to learn and adapt.
Learned behavior is a defining characteristic of human beings, setting us apart and enabling us to achieve remarkable advancements. This capacity for learning and behavioral adaptation will likely continue to drive human progress and shape our future.
References
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Hammond, Christopher & Potenza, Marc & Mayes, L.C. (2012). Development of Impulse Control, Inhibition, and Self-Regulatory Behaviors in Normative Populations across the Lifespan. The Oxford Handbook of Impulse Control Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195389715.013.0082
Khaleque, Abdul. (2012). Perceived Parental Warmth, and Children’s Psychological Adjustment, and Personality Dispositions: A Meta-analysis. Journal of Child and Family Studies. 22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-012-9579-z.
