Theories of Learning

Date of last revision September 18, 2013

Introduction

 Learning theories refers to theoretical frameworks which try to explain how people and
animals learn, thereby helping us understand the inherently complex process of learning.
 Learning refers to “a persisting change in human performance or performance potential
brought about as a result of the learner’s interaction with the environment”
 There are three main categories of learning theories:
o Behaviorism -focuses only on the objectively observable aspects of learning.
o Cognitive theories - look beyond behavior to explain brain-based learning.
o Constructivism - learning as a process in which the learner actively constructs or
builds new ideas or concepts.

Behaviorism

 First explained by B. F. Skinner

 Ivan Pavlov - Classical Conditioning Theory
 Refers to observable and measurable behavior
 Three basic assumptions of behaviourism are:
1. Learning is manifested by a change in behavior.
2. The environment shapes behavior.
3. The principles of contiguity and reinforcement.
 Behaviourism includes:
1. Classical Conditioning - Pavlov
2. Operant Conditioning - Skinner

Cognitive Theories

 Cognitive theories consider the thought process behind the behavior.

 It states changes in behavior as indicators to what is happening inside the learner's mind.
 Cognitive theories make two basic assumptions:
1. Memory system is an active organized processor of information and
2. Prior knowledge plays an important role in learning.

Constructivism

 Jean Piaget, John Dewey

 " learners construct knowledge for themselves from an interaction between their
experiences and their ideas"
 Constructivism explains learning as a process in which the learner actively constructs or
builds new ideas or concepts based upon current and past knowledge or experience.
  Constructivism focuses on preparing the learner to problem solve in ambiguous situations.

Conclusion

 Learning theories gives a general explanation for how people learn.

 These theories are applied in educational psychology, curriculum development,
instructional methodology.

References

1. Chauhan SS. Advanced educational psychology. 5th edition. New Delhi: Vikas Publishing
House PVT LTD; 1993.
2. Mangal SK. Educational psychology. 8th edition. Ludhiana: Prakash Brothers Educational
Publisher’s; 1990.