Final answer:
Selective learning is the tendency to learn information that aligns with personal interests or goals, influenced by factors like reinforcement, observational learning, and biological predispositions, particularly evident in language acquisition in children.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of 'We learn what we want to learn', also referred to as selective learning, is deeply rooted in cognitive and educational psychology. Selective learning is the idea that individuals are more likely to learn and retain information that is relevant to their interests, goals, or needs. This phenomenon is supported by various learning theories, which highlight that motivation and personal relevance greatly influence the learning process.
Behavioral conditioning is one way we learn; children and adults alike learn from consequences and reinforcements. For instance, a child learns that crying may lead to parental attention, while adults might learn behaviors in reaction to stimuli within their environment.
Observational learning is another pivotal mechanism through which we learn. This type of learning depends on cognitive processes like attention and retention, and is influenced by personal factors such as self-efficacy. Depending on one's level of self-efficacy, which is shaped by social experiences, a person may be more inclined to imitate certain behaviors they observe in others.
Language development also showcases selective learning. While some theories like B.F. Skinner's suggest language is learned through reinforcement, Noam Chomsky argues for an innate biological mechanism for language learning. In practice, language learning is influenced by both nature and nurture, with children showing a biological predisposition combined with learning through interaction.