What indicates that learning has occurred?

The correct choice highlights that a relative permanent change indicates learning has occurred. This concept refers to the understanding that learning is not merely about temporarily mastering a skill or knowledge point; rather, true learning signifies an enduring change in behavior or understanding over time.

When a learner has truly grasped a concept or improved a skill, that change can often be observed over an extended period, suggesting that the information has been retained and can be accessed even after a lapse of time. This sets it apart from temporary states such as immediate recall, which may reflect short-term memory rather than a deep, lasting understanding.

Incremental improvement might suggest progress, but without the assurance that this improvement is long-term, it does not definitively indicate that learning has occurred. Similarly, increased practice time might lead to better performance, but without evidence that the skills or knowledge have been internalized in a manner that is consistent over time, it does not necessarily validate learning. Thus, relative permanence serves as a strong criterion for identifying whether learning has truly taken place.