Final answer:
The four elements governing habits in learned behaviors are drive, response, reward, and cue, which together determine why habits form and persist. These elements highlight the interaction between our biological needs and environmental triggers in shaping our responses and adapting our actions to various situations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Habits in Learned Behaviors
Habits are governed by four elements of learning, which are drive, response, reward, and cue. These components play a crucial role in both animal and human behavior patterns. A habit, which is a pattern of behavior in which we regularly engage, becomes more likely to be repeated when it successfully reduces a drive, like hunger or thirst. Through conditioning and repeated reinforcement, these habitual responses become more ingrained.
Learned behaviors, as opposed to instinctual or innate behaviors, are significantly influenced by environmental changes and experience. These behaviors include imprinting, habituation, and conditioning, with cognitive learning being one of the most powerful forms. Humans, for instance, learn through conditioning, where a child might learn to put away their toys in response to the reward of a bedtime story, or a student learns to study for better grades. This shows that humans adapt their behaviors based on the incentives received, reinforcing certain actions and discouraging others.
In the context of the original question, the fourth element that complements drive, response, and reward is a cue. A cue serves as the signal or trigger that initiates the habitual response. This learning process reflects not only on the biological and psychological aspects of behavior but also underlines the importance of environmental and social factors in shaping our actions.