Learning Theories by Grace Tant

What is Behaviorism?

egtant — 2025-09-20 22:42:55 UTC

Behaviorism is the theory that learning is constituted by observable and reinforceable changes in response or behavior. Behaviorism holds that environmental stimuli are key to learning and that different types of reinforcement can strengthen or weaken responses.

Image: Pigeons in Skinner Boxes. Credit: Bettmann Archive / Getty Images via VeryWell Mind

Key Behaviorist Figures

egtant — 2025-09-20 22:51:24 UTC

Wilhelm Wundt: Early psychologist who originated some introspective experimental methods
B.F. Skinner: Advanced theories of conditioning with the famous Skinner box for animal testing
John B. Watson: Popularized behaviorism; known for controversial experiments on children
Edward L. Thorndike: Known for puzzle experiments with cats and trial-and-error focused theories

Application of Behaviorism

egtant — 2025-09-20 22:56:43 UTC

Behaviorist theory is used in:

Classroom settings to get children's attention through learned call-and-response
Educational games and apps to keep users engaged through dopamine-inducing sound effects and rewards
Reinforcing through feedback on knowledge checks and quiz questions

What is Cognitivism?

egtant — 2025-09-20 23:02:49 UTC

Cognitivism is the theory that learning is constituted primarily by internal processing of information in the brain. Cognitivism holds that internal factors including memory state and the acquisition of knowledge are key to the process of learning.

Key Cognitivist Figures

egtant — 2025-09-20 23:11:20 UTC

G. Snelbecker: Early cognitivist who advocated for theories of complex mental processing
Jean Piaget: Swiss psychologist who studied childhood development of cognition
Albert Bandura: Known for observation learning "Bobo doll" experiments

Application of Cognitivism

egtant — 2025-09-20 23:15:17 UTC

Cognitivist theory is used in:

Aligning tasks and materials with learners' cognitive developmental stage
Teacher and peer modeling to help students process behavioral learning
Role-plays and virtual reality simulations to allow learners to observe situations and consequences of choices

What is Constructivism?

egtant — 2025-09-20 23:17:24 UTC

Constructivism is the theory that learning takes places when students build meaning from the knowledge they are processing. Constructivism holds that context, experiences, and active participation are all important in the learning process.

Key Constructivist Figures

egtant — 2025-09-20 23:20:32 UTC

Jean Piaget: Piaget's theories bridged cognitivism and constructivism
Jerome Bruner: Known for his research on the active processes of sensation and perception

Application of Constructivism

egtant — 2025-09-20 23:29:20 UTC

Constructivist theory is used in:

Designing tasks that allow students to relate their own cultural background or experiences to the knowledge being learned
Projects designs like case studies that allow learners to solve complex problems collaboratively