Learning | Nature | Types | Laws of Learning | Factors affecting Learning | Memory and Forgetting | Mock Test | Staff Nurse | Guides Academy

Learning – nature, types, laws of learning, factors affecting learning, memory and forgetting

Learning is the process of acquiring new knowledge, skills, attitudes, or behaviors through experience, study, or teaching. It is a continuous and adaptive process essential for personal and professional development.

Types of learning include:

Classical conditioning (learning through association),

Operant conditioning (learning through consequences),

Observational learning (learning by watching others),

Cognitive learning (involving thinking and understanding).

The laws of learning, proposed by Thorndike, include:

Law of readiness (learning occurs when the learner is ready),

Law of exercise (practice strengthens learning),

Law of effect (behaviors followed by satisfaction are repeated).

Factors affecting learning include motivation, interest, intelligence, environment, emotional state, teaching methods, and physical health.

Memory is the ability to retain and recall information. Forgetting occurs due to lack of attention, interference, poor encoding, or time lapse. Effective learning depends on proper memory retention and minimizing forgetting through revision, association, and meaningful understanding.

Time: 15:00

In psychology, learning is best defined as:

[a] A temporary change in behavior due to fatigue.

[b] The natural process of physical and mental maturation.

[c] A relatively permanent change in behavior or knowledge resulting from experience.

[d] The acquisition of information solely through formal education.

A nursing student learns to perform a sterile dressing change by watching their clinical instructor demonstrate the procedure. This is a primary example of:

[a] Classical conditioning

[b] Latent learning

[c] Operant conditioning

[d] Observational learning

According to Thorndike's Law of Effect, a patient is more likely to adhere to a treatment plan if the behavior is:

[a] Followed by a satisfying consequence, like reduced pain or praise.

[b] Repeated many times, regardless of the outcome.

[c] Observed in other patients first.

[d] Mentally challenging.

A patient who had a painful experience with a previous IV insertion now feels anxious at the mere sight of a nurse approaching with an IV start kit. This learned anxiety is a result of:

[a] Operant conditioning

[b] Classical conditioning

[c] The Law of Readiness

[d] Observational learning

Which of the following is NOT considered a primary factor affecting a patient's ability to learn discharge instructions?

[a] The patient's emotional state (e.g., anxiety, pain).

[b] The learning environment (e.g., noise, interruptions).

[c] The patient's motivation and readiness to learn.

[d] The nurse's years of experience.

The process of converting new information into a form that can be stored in memory is called:

[a] Retrieval

[b] Storage

[c] Encoding

[d] Forgetting

The memory system that holds a vast amount of information for a very long time (hours to years) is known as:

[a] Sensory memory

[b] Short-term memory

[c] Long-term memory

[d] Echoic memory

A nurse tries to teach a patient about their new low-sodium diet while the patient is in severe pain. The patient later remembers very little of the information. This is best explained by Thorndike's:

[a] Law of Effect

[b] Law of Exercise

[c] Law of Readiness

[d] Law of Recency

Giving a pediatric patient a sticker (a reward) after they successfully take their medicine is an application of:

[a] Operant conditioning (positive reinforcement)

[b] Classical conditioning

[c] Forgetting

[d] Observational learning

The theory of forgetting that suggests that memories fade simply due to the passage of time is known as:

[a] Interference theory

[b] Retrieval failure

[c] Decay theory

[d] Motivated forgetting

A nurse learns a new electronic health record (EHR) system at a new job and now finds it difficult to remember the commands for the old EHR system. This is an example of:

[a] Proactive interference

[b] Retroactive interference

[c] Memory decay

[d] Encoding failure

A patient's ability to remember how to use an insulin pen is an example of which type of long-term memory?

[a] Episodic memory

[b] Semantic memory

[c] Procedural memory

[d] Sensory memory

Thorndike's Law of Exercise emphasizes the importance of what factor in strengthening learning?

[a] The learner's IQ

[b] Repetition and practice

[c] The quality of the reward

[d] The absence of punishment

The "tip-of-the-tongue" phenomenon, where you know a piece of information but cannot pull it out of memory, is a failure of:

[a] Encoding

[b] Storage

[c] Retrieval

[d] Short-term memory

Why is it beneficial for a nurse to provide immediate, constructive feedback to a nursing student practicing a new skill?

[a] It is a form of punishment.

[b] It reinforces correct actions and helps correct errors before they become habits.

[c] It demonstrates the nurse's superior knowledge.

[d] It fulfills the Law of Readiness.

Remembering the date of your nursing school graduation is an example of _____ memory, while knowing that a femur is a bone is an example of _____ memory.

[a] Procedural; Semantic

[b] Semantic; Episodic

[c] Episodic; Semantic

[d] Procedural; Episodic

A patient is taught about wound care in the morning and then about new medications in the afternoon. Later, they mix up the steps for each. This forgetting is likely due to:

[a] Interference

[b] Decay

[c] Repression

[d] Maturation

Short-term memory is characterized by having a:

[a] Unlimited capacity and long duration.

[b] Unlimited capacity and short duration.

[c] Limited capacity and short duration.

[d] Limited capacity and long duration.

Which factor is most crucial for moving information from sensory memory to short-term memory?

[a] Motivation

[b] A reward

[c] Attention

[d] Practice

Chunking, rehearsal, and using mnemonics are all strategies to improve:

[a] Observational learning

[b] The Law of Effect

[c] Long-term forgetting

[d] Memory retention and recall

In classical conditioning, what is a conditioned response?

[a] An unlearned, natural reaction to a stimulus.

[b] A stimulus that naturally triggers a response.

[c] A learned reaction to a previously neutral stimulus.

[d] A stimulus that has no effect before conditioning.

A nurse's motivation to master a new piece of medical equipment because they believe it will make them better at their job is an example of:

[a] Intrinsic motivation

[b] Extrinsic motivation

[c] The Law of Exercise

[d] Retrieval failure

Forgetting that occurs because of a lack of necessary retrieval cues is known as:

[a] Decay

[b] Interference

[c] Encoding failure

[d] Cue-dependent forgetting

Removing an unpleasant stimulus (like an annoying alarm) after a desired behavior is performed is an example of:

[a] Positive reinforcement

[b] Punishment

[c] Negative reinforcement

[d] Classical conditioning

The most effective way for a nurse to ensure a patient remembers critical discharge information is to:

[a] Say the information very quickly one time.

[b] Give them a large, text-heavy booklet right before they leave.

[c] Present information clearly, use teach-back methods, and provide simple written materials.

[d] Assume the family members will remember everything.