Theories that explain how we acquire knowledge
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Learning can be a complex process.
That’s why researchers, educators, and psychologists are so interested in understanding how this process works.
Knowing how people learn allows us to create instructional materials that make the process easier and more effective.
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Several different theories have emerged to explain how people learn.
A few different behavioral theories emerged to explain how and why people behave the way they do.
Behavioral theories are centered on the environmental influences on the learning process.
Environmental influences include associations, reinforcements, and punishments.
According to behaviors, we don’t need to consider the internal cognitive processes to understand how learning works.
Instead, we must examine how someone interacts with the environment to see how information is acquired.
Operant conditioning was first described by the behavioral psychologist B.F. Skinner.
It is sometimes also referred to as Skinnerian conditioning andinstrumental conditioning.
Like classical conditioning, operant conditioning relies on forming associations.
In operant conditioning, however, associations are made between a behavior and the consequences of that behavior.
The behavior becomes less likely if the actions lead to a negative outcome.
Cognitive learning theory explores how the thinking process itself can affect learning.
That means it also explores different factors influencing our thinking, such as internal and external factors.
Internal factors influencing thinking and learning include concentration, distraction, and emotions.
One of the best-known cognitive learning theories isPiaget’s theory of cognitive development.
Piaget described four stages of intellectual development that occur in childhood.
These four stages explain how a child learns about the world and processes information.
Constructivist theories of learning were influenced by the work of psychologistLev Vygotsky.
Vygotsky’ssociocultural theorystressed the importance of collaboration and social interaction in the learning process.
Children observe the actions of those around them, particularly caregivers and siblings, and then imitate these behaviors.
Bandura noted that learning something does not necessarily result in a behavior change.
Experiential Learning Theories
This learning theory focuses on learning via hands-on experience.
According to Kolb, there arefour stagesinexperiential learning.
The first two, abstract conceptualization and concrete experience, relate to how people grasp experiences.
The final two, active experimentation and reflective observation, refer to how people transform experiences.
Modern Views of Learning Theories
Such theories are typically not used in isolation.
These theories have influenced education, therapy, and parenting approaches.
Learning more about these theories can give you a deeper, richer understanding of how the learning process works.
Dong H, Lio J, Sherer R, Jiang I.Some learning theories for medical educators.Med Sci Educ.
