UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS HO CHI MINH CITY

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
SCHOOL OF FINANCE

SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

TOPIC 3: BRIEFLY SUMMARIZE THE CONTENT AND THE

IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING AND MEMORY MODULE.
EXPLAIN THE INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGY ON LEARNING
AND MEMORY AND PROPOSE SOME SOLUTIONS TO ENHANCE
LEARNING AND MEMORY TO PROMOTE POSITIVE PERSONAL
BEHAVIOR IN STUDY AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT.

Full name: Lê Ngọc Kim Ngân

Class code: 24D1BUS50327212

Batch – Class: K49 – FNF001

Student’s ID: 31231021858

Lecturer: Dr. Nguyễn Trung Thông

Ho Chi Minh City, June 29th, 2024

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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................1

CHAPTER 1: THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING AND MEMORY..................................2

1.1 Learning..........................................................................................................................2

1.1.1 Behaviorism and Classical Conditioning.................................................................2

1.1.2 Operant Conditioning...............................................................................................2

1.1.3 Variations of learning.............................................................................................3

1.2 Memory:..........................................................................................................................4

1.2.1 Types of memory.....................................................................................................4

1.2.2 Encoding, Storage, and Retrieval............................................................................5

1.2.3 Forgetting.................................................................................................................5

1.3 The relationship between learning and memory and their importance.............................5

CHAPTER 2: THE INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGY ON LEARNING AND MEMORY...6

2.1 Positive influence of technology:....................................................................................6

2.2 Negative influence of technology:.................................................................................6

CHAPTER 3: SOLUTIONS TO ENHANCE LEARNING AND MEMORY TO PROMOTE

POSITIVE PERSONAL BEHAVIOR IN STUDY AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT............7

CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSION...................................................................................................8

REFERENCES...........................................................................................................................8
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INTRODUCTION

In contemporary society, learning and memory are vital not only for gaining knowledge
but also for adapting behavior to fit educational and social contexts. Learning enables
individuals to acquire new knowledge, skills, and insights, enhancing their awareness,
educational attainment. Memory helps us with the retention and application of acquired
knowledge, which is useful for studying, working and living, establishing a foundation to
support the development and improvement of human personality and ethics. In study and
social environment, learning and memory are closely related to each other.

The learning environment is no longer just a school and books; but also expands every
aspect of our lives, including workplaces and social media platforms. Each of our actions,
choices and decisions is largely influenced and controlled by these two essential factors:
memory and learning ability. The emergence of technology such as social networks,
smartphones, computers v.v has significantly impacted learning and memory. Thanks to
technology, people can learn easily, access many sources of information quickly and support
effective memory. Although technology brings us great benefits in the learning and memory
process, it also poses challenges when we overuse it.

By exploring the correlation and importance of learning and memory and highlighting
the impact of technology on these two factors, this essay will offer solutions to enhance
learning and memory to promote positive personal behavior in study and social environments.
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CHAPTER 01: THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING AND MEMORY

1.1 Learning
1.1.1 Behaviorism and Classical Conditioning

Behaviorism arose as a reaction against early psychological approaches that delved into
subjective mental states. It argued that psychology should focus exclusively on observable
behaviors and the environmental factors influencing them, rejecting explanations rooted in
internal thoughts and emotions. Advocates like B.F. Skinner advocated for psychology as an
objective science, aiming to predict and control behavior through empirical observation.
Figures such as Jacques Loeb and John B. Watson underscored that behaviors are responses
triggered by external stimuli rather than by internal desires or intentions. Behaviorism's
challenge was to explain complex behaviors solely in terms of observable stimuli and
responses.

The classical conditioning was discovered by the Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov
through a study involving dogs in the 1920s. In his experiment, the bell became the new
stimulus associated with food - the natural stimulus. When the dogs saw the food, they would
be stimulated and salivate automatically. At the start, the conditioned stimulus elicits no
significant response. after conditioning, it elicits a conditioned response. any detectable event
can serve as a conditioned stimulus. For example, a sudden sound works, but so does an
interval of silence interrupting otherwise constant noise. To review, the unconditioned
stimulus (UCS), such as food, automatically elicits the unconditioned response (UCR), such
as salivating. A neutral stimulus, such as a sound, that is paired with the ucs becomes a
conditioned stimulus (CS). At first, it elicits no response or an irrelevant response, such as
looking around. after some number of pairings of the CS with the UCS, the conditioned
stimulus elicits the conditioned response (CR), which usually resembles the UCR.

1.1.2 Operant Conditioning

Edward L. Thorndike, a Harvard graduate student, conducted experiments on cats in the

early 1900s, pioneering operant conditioning. Using puzzle boxes, cats learned to escape by
trial and error, reinforcing behaviors that led to freedom. Thorndike’s Law of Effect states
behaviors followed by satisfaction are strengthened. Operant conditioning differs from
classical conditioning by having behaviors influence outcomes. Thorndike's work showed
how animals learn through consequences, not understanding, impacting later behavioral
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psychology. His findings also highlighted distinctions between reinforcement and

punishment, influencing modern behaviorism and educational practices. Operant conditioning
shares concepts with classical conditioning: extinction, generalization, and discrimination.
Extinction occurs when responses stop yielding reinforcement. Generalization leads to similar
responses to similar stimuli, while discrimination involves responding differently to different
stimuli, guided by discriminative stimuli. These principles shape behavioral responses in
diverse contexts.

B. F. Skinner pioneered operant conditioning, emphasizing reinforcement history over

mental processes. He used operant chambers (Skinner boxes) to define responses by
outcomes, not muscle movements. Shaping formed new behaviors through successive
approximations, while chaining linked sequences of actions. Skinner demonstrated these
principles with complex behaviors like patriotic rat saluting. Schedules of reinforcement—
continuous, fixed ratio, variable ratio, fixed interval, and variable interval—affect response
rates differently. Extinction of behaviors reinforced intermittently occurs more slowly than
those reinforced continuously, a phenomenon Skinner explored with practical examples like
restaurant choices and gambling behaviors.

In persuasion, shaping is employed to gradually elicit cooperation, illustrated during the

Korean War when prisoners subtly praised their captors to gain privileges. Behavior
modification uses reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors, such as completing school
assignments, or to discourage undesired behaviors, like exaggerated pain complaints post-
injury.

1.1.3 Variations of learning

Thorndike, Pavlov, and early researchers initially assumed that learning principles
applied universally. However, they discovered exceptions—learning varies based on
evolutionary preparedness. For example, cats easily learn to manipulate objects for escape but
struggle to perform unrelated actions for the same reinforcement. This concept extends to
conditioned taste aversions, where animals associate illness with specific foods even after a
delay. In birds, song learning during sensitive periods contrasts with standard conditioning,
reflecting adaptive behaviors. Humans similarly learn through social imitation, observing
others to adopt behaviors efficiently. Vicarious reinforcement and punishment shape
behavior, influencing decisions like business ventures or moral choices. Self-efficacy guides
imitation; individuals mimic successful behaviors aligned with their perceived abilities.
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Moreover, self-reinforcement strategies, like goal-setting with rewards or penalties, aid habit
change. Despite challenges, these learning principles highlight how behaviors evolve
contextually, driven by adaptation and social influence.
1.2 Memory:
1.2.1 Types of memory

Hermann Ebbinghaus, a German psychologist, was a trailblazer in studying memory

scientifically. He developed new methods to see how well people remembered information
over time. Instead of relying on people's descriptions, he used controlled tests with nonsense
syllables such as GAK or JEK. Over six years, he diligently tested himself, memorizing
thousands of these syllables and noting how recall varied with list length and other factors.

Ebbinghaus's work introduced fundamental concepts such as the forgetting curve, which
shows how information fades over time without reinforcement. His methods, including free
recall (to produce a response as you do on an essay or short-answer test), cued recall (requires
improved accuracy, receive hints about the material), recognition (someone chooses the
correct item from among several options), and savings (compares the speed of original
learning to the speed of relearning), laid the groundwork for modern memory research. He
also explored implicit memory, where past experiences subtly influence behavior without
conscious awareness, illustrating memory's multifaceted nature beyond simple recall.

Ebbinghaus's rigorous approach, though initially unconventional, set the stage for the
scientific exploration of memory, shaping subsequent psychological research and
understanding of human cognition. His legacy endures in the methodologies and insights still
used in memory studies today.

Hermann Ebbinghaus, a pioneering German psychologist, revolutionized memory

research by introducing rigorous experimental methods. Unlike earlier subjective approaches,
Ebbinghaus used controlled experiments with nonsense syllables like GAK or JEK to
precisely measure memory retention. His work revealed fundamental insights into how
memories fade over time, captured in his discovery of the forgetting curve. Ebbinghaus
meticulously studied his own memory, setting a precedent for objective memory research that
continues today.

His legacy extends to modern applications such as suspect lineups in criminal

investigations. Witness recognition memory, akin to multiple-choice tests, involves
identifying a suspect among distractors. However, this process is fraught with pitfalls,
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including biases from suggestive lineup procedures. Psychologists propose improvements like
prompt witness interviews, blind lineup administration, and ensuring lineup consistency to
mitigate errors. Such refinements are critical as flawed eyewitness testimonies have led to
wrongful convictions, highlighting the need for robust memory science in legal contexts.

1.2.2 Encoding, Storage, and Retrieval

• Encoding: is the process by which information is received, understood and stored.

When information is inserted into the memory system, it is encoded into a form that the
memory system can process and then it is stored. Information is usually encoded in one (or
more) of a number of ways: visual encoding, acoustic encoding, semantic encoding, tactile
encoding. The encoding specificity principle is a concept in psychology, talking about
remembering information. According to this principle, information retention is improved
when the conditions of the learning process match the conditions of the memorization
process.

• Storage: The process of storing and preserving information in the brain is an

extremely important process in the process of forming and maintaining human memory. It
consolidates and preserves memories and information that we can access later. This process
depends on several important factors such as repetition, connection and emotions. Memory is
divided into two main types: short-term memory and long-term memory. The short-term
memory has a limited capacity, but long-term memory seems to have no limit. Moreover,
there are two main forms of information preservation process: positive preservation and
negative preservation.

• Retrieval: is the process of memory reliving past content recorded above, refers to the
process of retrieving information from our memory. To recall information from our memory,
we must first encode and store that information in our memory, when we need to use
information we have learned or experienced before, the brain will retrieve and recreate that
information in three forms including recognition, recall, and retrieval

1.2.3 Forgetting

Forgetting is the condition of losing or not remembering information, events, or

something. This is an aspect of the human memory and memory process that is inevitable in
our human memory. There are many causes of forgetting, and researchers have proposed
many theories to explain this phenomenon, which is retrieval and interference. Some common
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memory diseases such as amnesia, anterograde amnesia, retrograde amnesia, childhood

amnesia, alzheimer v.v
1.3 The relationship between learning and memory and their importance

There is an obvious relationship that it must be memory if there is to be any learning

(Medin et al., 2014). The combination learning and memory with positive and correct
adjustment of personal behavior in the learning and social environment not only brings
benefits to learning, but also improves and develops personality, thinking, and emotions for
each individual. That will form a solid foundation to help us achieve our goals in life. In
addition, learning also helps people develop cognitive, thinking, and creative abilities. These
abilities contribute to motivating people to self-evaluate and self-adjust their behavior to
become better, and at the same time contribute greatly to comprehensive human development
and lead us to a better life.

CHAPTER 2: THE INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGY ON

LEARNING AND MEMORY

2.1 Positive influence of technology:

Firstly, technology has brought clear benefits in personalizing the learning process.
Thanks to online learning platforms and personalized education applications, students can
experience courses designed based on their unique needs and abilities. In addition, mobile
learning applications also provide a flexible learning environment, helping students access
knowledge anytime, anywhere more conveniently and effectively.

Secondly, technology is having a profound impact on interaction and collaboration in

learning. For example, online learning platforms like Edmodo allow teachers and students to
interact, share documents, and discuss easily. This creates a rich learning environment that
encourages collaboration and knowledge exchange. These tools also help students learn from
each other and develop effective remote communication skills.

In addition to this, learning apps like Quizlet or Anki allow users to create and store
lessons, vocabulary, and flashcards at their own pace. These tools use repetition to reinforce
learning material through tests and flashcards, helping users improve their ability to remember
information long-term more effectively.

2.2 Negative influence of technology:

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Spending too much time on electronic devices can lead to "digital amnesia". Instead of
going to work, communicating and having fun, many people are confined to their rooms,
glued to computer screens, phones, etc. The more dependent they are on these devices,
especially in information storage, people are more susceptible to brain activity (Bình Minh,
2022).

Moreover, spending time on activities such as playing games or surfing social networks
for entertainment for long periods of time also disrupts the process of long-term memory
formation by not focusing on necessary study or work tasks. must be complete. In particular,
the availability of information on the internet can lead to a loss of ability to concentrate and
absorb information effectively.

According to Nicholas Carr - when we depend on the Internet as an "external hard

drive" of memory, we are losing the ability to perceive and absorb everyday hearing, reading
and seeing issues into long-term memory, the elements critical to the creation of knowledge
and wisdom.

CHAPTER 3: SOLUTIONS TO ENHANCE LEARNING AND MEMORY TO

PROMOTE POSITIVE PERSONAL BEHAVIOR IN STUDY AND SOCIAL
ENVIRONMENT

Some particular effective solutions to improve learning and memory that we can
mention include:

- Students need to practice memory regularly, such as using memory methods such
as association, summarizing, mind maps,...

- Use technology as a support tool but do not abuse or become overly dependent.

- Practice mindfulness techniques and stress management strategies such as deep

breathing and relaxation exercises to reduce stress and improve concentration and
memory.

- Build a specific, scientific study plan suitable to your abilities.

- Develop good time management skills to allocate sufficient time for studying,
reviewing, and practicing, avoid spending too much time on electronic devices.
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- Use visual images and other memory strategies such as word substitution.

CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSION

Learning and memory are important foundations for forming and adjusting individual
behavior in learning and social environments. Memory helps us connect knowledge over time,
while continuous learning allows us to adjust our behavior to adapt and grow. Both are
necessary to create thoughtful and sincere behavior, to develop oneself and contribute to the
community. Technology makes learning easier and helps us stay connected, but it can also
create challenges to learning and memory due to distractions and information overload. To
overcome these difficulties, it is important to use active learning techniques, use educational
tools well, stay mindful, and lead a balanced life. By doing these things, people can improve
how well they learn, behave positively, and handle the digital world confidently in school and
in society.

REFERENCES

Bình Minh. (2022, August 12). Chứng 'giảm tri nhớ ky thuật so' - Bao VnExpress.
vnexpress.net. https://vnexpress.net/chung-giam-tri-nho-ky-thuat-so-4499037.html

Kalat, J.W. (2022). Introduction to psychology (12th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Medin, D.L., Roberts, W.A. and Davis, R.T. (2014) Processes of Animal Memory. Hove
U.K.: Psychology Press.

Nicholas Carr. (2020). The shallows: What the internet is doing to our brains. W. W. Norton
& Company.