Editing Learning curve (section)

==Broader interpretations==
Initially introduced in [[educational psychology|educational]] and [[behavioral psychology]], the term has acquired a broader interpretation over time, and expressions such as "experience curve", "improvement curve", "cost improvement curve", "progress curve", "progress function", "startup curve", and "efficiency curve" are often used interchangeably. In economics the subject is rates of "[[economic development|development]]", as development refers to a whole system learning process with varying rates of progression. Generally speaking all learning displays '''incremental change''' over time, but describes an '''[[Sigmoid function|"S" curve]]''' which has different appearances depending on the time scale of observation. It has now also become associated with the evolutionary theory of [[punctuated equilibrium]] and other kinds of '''revolutionary change''' in complex systems generally, relating to [[innovation]], [[organizational behavior]] and the [[management]] of group learning, among other fields.<ref>{{cite journal|jstor=258605 |author=Gersick, Connie JG |year= 1991 |title=Revolutionary Change Theories: A Multilevel Exploration of the Punctuated Equilibrium Paradigm|journal= The Academy of Management Review|volume= 16|issue= 1 |pages=10–36|doi=10.5465/amr.1991.4278988 }}</ref> These processes of rapidly emerging new form appear to take place by complex learning within the systems themselves, which when observable, display curves of changing rates that accelerate and decelerate.