Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
In psychology and educational theory, learning is defined as a process that modifies an individual's behavioral patterns, knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
To qualify scientifically as learning, a behavioral change must meet three specific criteria:
1. Relatively Permanent: The change must persist over time.
It should not be temporary, such as changes caused by physical fatigue, emotional states, or sensory adaptation.
2. Brought about by Experience: The change must result from interaction with the environment (such as practice, observation, trial-and-error, or training).
This excludes behavioral changes caused by physical maturation (such as a baby learning to walk) or biological development.
3. Let us evaluate the incorrect options:
- Option (A): Behavioral changes caused by illness, physical injury, or fatigue are temporary and disappear once the individual recovers.
- Option (B): Behavioral changes caused by drugs, alcohol, or chemical substances are temporary physiological responses that disappear as the substance is metabolized.
- Option (C): While instruction is a valid source of learning, learning also occurs through non-deliberate, informal experiences (such as accidentally touching a hot surface).
Therefore, learning is defined as a relatively permanent change in behavior brought about by experience.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The changes in behavior qualifying as learning are relatively permanent changes brought about by experience, matching Option (D).