LEARNING THEORIES BEHAVIORISM and COGNITIVISM By Mario Holley

Understanding How People Think and Learn l l People have been trying to understand learning for over 2000 years. Learning theorists have carried out a debate on how people learn that began at least as far back as the Greek philosophers, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle Discussions on how individuals think and learn have taken place throughout history. As a result, various perspectives—influenced by philosophy and psychology—have developed and continue to be developed.

Types of Learning Theories § Behaviorism § Cognitive

Background Information l Learning theories allow teachers to better understand the process of learning. l Together with the use of technology, learn theories have made a significant impact in the classroom.

Defining Behaviorism l Learning is defined by the outward expression of new behaviors l Focuses solely on observable behaviors l A biological basis for learning l Learning is context-independent

Behaviourists l The theory of Behaviorism originates from the works of B. F. Skinner’s, operant conditioning. l Classical Conditioning is when an unconditioned stimulus and response is manipulated with a conditioned stimulus to create a conditioned response. l Operant Conditioning is a controlled response with a reward/ punishment system according to the behavior. l The learner needs reinforcements to keep interest. l l Stimuli are effective in controlling behavior. As a result, the behaviors can be measured to record learning success.

Skinner Burrhus Frederic Skinner Born March 20, 1904 Died August 18, 1990 Born in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania American psychologist, author, inventor, advocate for social reform and poet. Innovated his own philosophy of science called Radical Behaviourism

Cognitivism l l l Information Processing looks at how information is retrieved and stored. This theory focuses on how to store and retrieve information. Learning is attained through rehearsal and consistent use of the information. l Retention strategies such as breaking down information and comparing the information to long term storage are great techniques.

Cognitivism history l l Cognitive theory is based on a number of theorists’ contributions The most recognize theorists would be Jean Piaget

Jean Piaget l l l Piaget was the first psychologist to make a systematic study of cognitive development. Piaget’s work was the common assumption in psychology that children are merely less competent thinkers than adults. Piaget argued that people are born with schemes, tendency to organize their thinking processes, which at birth he called reflexes.

Web Resources Behavioral Learning Theory http: //suedstudent. syr. edu/~ebarrett/ide 621/behavior. htm Cognitivism Learning Theory http: //web. syr. edu/~walker/COGNITIVISMTHEORIES. htm Matthew D. Laliberte www. nercomp. org/data/media/A%20 Brief%20 History%20 of%20 Learnin g%20 Theory. ppt Merriam, S. B. , Caffarella, R. S. , & Baumgartner, L. M. (2007). Learning in adulthood: A comprehensive guide (3 rd. ). San Francisco: Josey-Bass.