[DSRP Evidence](https://dsrpevidence.org/)

# Defining Learning.

Defining Learning

## Details

**Authors** Cabrera D, Cabrera L

**Year** 2020

**Publisher** Handbook of Systems Thinking

**Kind of work** chapter, article

[Read it at the publisher](https://doi.org/10.54120/jost.0000040) 
10.54120/jost.0000040

## In authors' words

### Abstract

Learning needs little in the form of justification—it is the basis of human discovery and organizational success. But, it does need a more precise definition. It is often confused with closely-related but different terminology such as: knowledge, mental models, concepts, information, ideas, organizational learning, culture, behavior, education, memorization, school, and many more.

### What they found (results)

Knowing that a string exists, knowing it is a combination, and knowing how to open the lock are three learnings rather than one plus its applications. If learning is Δ𝕄 and 𝕄 = I·O, learning is reorganization and can be measured structurally.

## Commentary

### Response

Published in the Handbook of Systems Thinking (Cabrera, Cabrera & Midgley, eds., 2023), a volume built on the premise that systems thinking now has a universal theory—DSRP-484. Its contents were selected on that basis by its editorial team in concert with a team of advisors.

**Patterns it shows** D, S, R, P

## Refers to

- [Handbook of Systems Thinking](https://dsrpevidence.org/element/382)

## Questions it bears on

- Q1. [What is thinking (T)?](https://dsrpevidence.org/question/what-thinking)
- Q9. [Does the same organization (O) operate above the individual — dyad, team, organization, culture?](https://dsrpevidence.org/question/collective-scale)
- Q12. [What is memory?](https://dsrpevidence.org/question/memory)
- Q16. [What is learning (L)?](https://dsrpevidence.org/question/learning)
- Q18. [What is culture ($\mathbb{C}$), and where does it live?](https://dsrpevidence.org/question/culture)

**How to cite this** Cabrera D, Cabrera L (2020). Defining Learning.: Defining Learning. Handbook of Systems Thinking.