How human beings and animals learn has been the focus of numerous studies over the years and is a theme that runs through all of the different approaches to the field of Psychology. I suppose this is not surprising. After all, the attainment of knowledge and how we use it is a fundamental factor that determines how we behave.

The question of whether or not it is important for us to be aware that we are learning something probably depends a lot on what it is we are learning and why we are learning it. The work done by Pavlov and Skinner which connects the learning process to different forms of conditioning can help us break down what types of learning might be done consciously or subconsciously. Classical conditioning seeks to explain the way learning take place by how way we associate one thing with another. I might learn for example that frost on the car means it’s cold outside. When we make these types of associations it is more likely that we do so without really being aware of it. The same might well be true of operant conditioning where be learn to behave in certain ways depending on the positive versus negative effects of the outcomes of our actions. This type of learning is more intuitive or instinctive. The importance of our being aware of it therefore is probably negligible!

Other methods of learning can be considered more complex. In these situations it could be beneficial for us to be aware of how and when they are taking place. We absorb knowledge deliberately in our schools and colleges. Teachers are always attempting to adapt and mould their teaching techniques so that the learning experience for the pupils is more effective. The work done by John Dewy, Marie Montessori and David Kolb known as constructivism learning theory suggested that it is important for pupils to be actively involved in the learning process and to be an integral part of their own learning experience. These and other more modern examples of learning theories tend to suggest that being aware of learning is important. They suggest that learning is more effective if the person doing the learning is more engaged and aware of the process.

When considering whether it is important to be aware of learning one might want to consider the age of the person doing the learning. Clearly a baby or small child is learning all the time (probably via forms of conditioning mainly). They are like sponges! A small child will not be aware of the learning experience but this is doesn’t matter. The most important thing is that they are growing up and learning how to become little human beings!

I thought it worthwhile finishing with a comment about a learning experience that happened to me today. I received a message from a woman on a dating site and replied to it within a couple of minutes. She never replied back. I thought this was because I had replied too soon and might have come across as being a bit desperate (fair I think!) This form of operant conditioning taught me not to reply so soon next time. However, I stopped myself and thought ‘hang on’! I had just made an association that actually might have been completely wrong. The very fact that I was aware of the learning (association) that took place changed the way I then behaved again. If the situation were to happen again I might reply just as quickly but make the message shorter for example. You might therefore conclude that it was important that I was aware of the learning that took place.