latent learning

[ leyt-nt lur-ning ]

/ ˈleɪt nt ˈlɜr nɪŋ /

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noun

Psychology. the unconscious acquisition and retention of knowledge or skills without demonstrating them until the need arises or a reward or reinforcement is offered:The idea of latent learning suggests that animals, and people, may learn simply by experiencing or watching.

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Origin of latent learning

First recorded in 1925–30

Words nearby latent learning

latent ambiguity, latent content, latent function, latent heat, latent image, latent learning, latent period, latent root, latent strabismus, latent time, later

How to use latent learning in a sentence

What is most troubling is our – and I do mean “our” and not “their” – never treating these situations as learning opportunities.
In 2015, Let’s Try for More Compassion|Gene Robinson|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In the absence of typical classrooms and curriculums, West Africans have opted for alternate methods of learning and education.
The Radio Battle to Educate Ebola’s Kids|Abby Haglage|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These tests prod and poke the children, creating lots of anxiety and taking away from the joy of learning.
Hunger Games Comes to New York State’s Public Schools|Zephyr Teachout|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He is honest about his religious doubts, but he is committed to learning more about God.
The Good Wife’s Religion Politics: Voters Have No Faith in Alicia's Atheism|Regina Lizik|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

And Glenn, Tara, and Rosita spend the episode, um, learning to fish.
The Walking Dead’s ‘Crossed’: The Stage Is Now Set for a Bloody, Deadly Midseason Finale|Melissa Leon|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
All our intelligent students will insist upon learning what they can of these discussions and forming opinions for themselves.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
Thomas Cooper, an English prelate, died; highly commended for his great learning and eloquence.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
He was a patriot of the noblest and most extensive views, and justly celebrated as a man of learning, eloquent and refined.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
It has only been a rare and exceptional class hitherto that has gone on learning throughout life.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
At twelve, or fifteen, or sixteen, or twenty it was decided that they should stop learning.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

British Dictionary definitions for latent learning

latent learning

noun

psychol learning mediated neither by reward nor by the expectation of reward

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012