A relatively permanent change in behavioural potentiality that occurs as a…

Concept: In educational psychology, learning is classically defined (Kimble, 1961) as a relatively permanent change in behaviour or behavioural potentiality produced by reinforced practice or experience, distinguishing it from a temporary energising state (motivation), a stable evaluative disposition (attitude), or an inherent capacity (aptitude).

Application: The stem states exactly this definition — “a relatively permanent change in behavioural potentiality … as a result of reinforced practice” — so the term being defined is Learning.

Cross-check: Contrasting the distractors by what they actually denote:

• Motivation is the temporary state that energises and directs behaviour toward a goal; it does not itself describe a lasting change produced by practice.

• Attitude is a relatively stable evaluative disposition (favourable or unfavourable) toward an object, person, or idea; it is not defined by reinforced practice altering behavioural potentiality.

• Aptitude is an inherent or potential capacity to acquire a skill with training; it names a pre-existing potential, not the process of change itself.

Result: Learning is therefore the term matching the stem's definition.