Correct Answer - Option 2 : Concept learning
In 1956, the American educational psychologist Robert M. Gagne proposed a system of classifying different types of learning in terms of the degree of complexity of the mental processes involved.
According to Gagne the higher orders of learning in this hierarchy build upon the lower levels, requiring progressively greater amounts of previous learning for their success. The lowest four orders tend to focus on the more behavioural aspects of learning, while the highest four focus on the more cognitive aspects.
He has classified learning into eight types in hierarchical order as given below:
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Signal learning: It is also known as classical conditioning. In this learning, The unconditioned stimulus is paired with the conditioned stimulus to elicit the response and later on to see whether CS is alone able to elicit the response or not.
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S-R learning: It is also known as instrumental learning. In this kind of learning the experimenter waits for the subject to emit a response that approximates the one he wishes to establish and then reinforces it.
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Chain learning: Chaining means the connection of a set of individual S-R in sequence.
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Verbal associate learning: Mediating connections between each verbal unit and the next must-have been previously learned.
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Multiple discrimination: Discrimination involves higher mental processes. It is the basis upon which we learn to think and solve problems.
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Concept learning: A concept is a class of stimuli, which have common characteristics. We form concepts by finding properties that a class of objects shares in common.
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Learning of principle: Learning of principle depends upon learning of concept formation and another form of learning. Principles show the regular relationship between two or more concepts.
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Problem-solving: This comes at the highest stage in the hierarchy of the learning process. It depends on learning rules. It constitutes the use of the ‘discovery method’.
Conclusion: In Gagne's hierarchy of learning Concept learning immediately precedes 'Rule learning'. Therefore option 2 is the correct answer.
