Educational Psychology Interactive: Overview of Learning and Development

Summary of Theories
Relating to Learning and Human Development

Citation: Huitt, W. (2006, May). Summary of theories relating to learning and development. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University. Retrieved [date], from http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/summary/lrndev.html

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We have reviewed a number of theories related to how human beings learn and develop. On this website, learning is defined as "a relatively permanent change in behavior or behavior potential brought about as a result of experience" and development is defined as "as a relatively permanent change in behavior or behavior potential brought about as a result of maturation or biological function." The following table provides an overview of the major schools of thought related to learning and development.

DIMENSION	Behavioral	Information Processing	Humanistic	Cognitive Constructivism	Social Cognition
Primary Focus	Observable behavior Stimulus-response connections	Mental behavior Acquisition of Knowledge Intelligence Critical Thinking	Affect/Values Self-Concept/Self-Esteem Needs	Mental behavior Developmental Processes	Social influences Modeling & vicarious learning Attitudes Goals
Assumptions	Learning is a result of environmental forces	Learning is a result of mental operations/ processing	Learning is a result of affect/emotion and goal-orientation	Learning is the result of the construction of meaning by the individual learner	Learning is a result of influences of social environment on thinking
Subcategories	Contiguity Respondent (Classical) Operant (Instrumental)	Information Processing Hierarchical Developmental Critical Thinking	Affect Motivation & needs Self-concept Self-esteem	Maturationists Information processing	Observational (Social) Self-efficacy Goal-setting Self-regulation
Major Theorists	Thorndike Pavlov Watson Skinner	Atkinson and Shriffin Craik and Lockhart Neisser Ausubel Gagne Bloom	Rogers Combs Purkey Maslow N.V. Peale Ziglar	Dewey Piaget Bruner	Vygotsky Bandura Sears Pajares Schunck Seligman
Principles	Time/place pairings Biological basis of behavior Consequences Modeling	Memory is limited Changes in complexity Changes over time Good thinking requires standards	Individual uniqueness Self-determination Dreams and goals are vital for success	Diagnose learner readiness Structure learning experiences using spiral organization Facilitate student extrapolation and filling in his or her knowledge gaps	Social interaction with adults and peers Reciprocal determinism Individual responsibility
Methods	Experimental methods Laboratory studies Systematic observation	Experimental/ correlational Paper/pencil	Clinical method Paper/pencil	Natural observation Structured observation	Experimental/ correlational Systematic observation Paper/pencil

Applying principles from these theories of learning and development can help you guide your own learning.

Theory Principles

Behavioral

Have specific goals and objectives that state precisely what you are to learn.

Break the goals and objectives into manageable units.

Interact with the material while you are listening or reading (e.g., take notes, answer previously developed questions)

Reward yourself for learning activities and outcomes (e.g., listen to one song after 20 minutes of studying; go to a movie when you make an "A" on an exam)

Information Processing

Make sure you're paying attention during lectures and reading.

Overview any reading before you actually get started. Identify major terms and concepts.

Ask yourself different levels of questions when you study (e.g., low level -- what does this term mean; higher level -- how could I use this concept or principle; how is this concept similar or different from another)

Give yourself time to allow time to pass before a review

Humanistic

Think about how this learning relates to your life goals or mission.

Make sure you feel comfortable as you start your learning; if you feel stressed, take a few minutes to relax (close your eyes, imagine yourself in your favorite spot or activity; breath slowly and deeply)

Imagine how you will feel when you successfully take a test on this material.

Make a game out of learning the material; make it fun.

Cognitive Constructivism

Before you get started, review activity or concept and reflect on how this might be similar to something you've already done.

Try to apply the principle or think about how you might apply it.

Work with another student as you identify important terms, concepts, and principles.

Social Constructivism & Social Cognition

Work in a study group to learn the material.

Take action and then reflect on how successful you have been in the learning process.

Set goals for learning the concepts or skills, not just making a passing score on a test.

Keep records of your learning activities and reflect on which ones seem to work best; talk about these with other students.

Return to:

Theory	Principles
Behavioral	Have specific goals and objectives that state precisely what you are to learn. Break the goals and objectives into manageable units. Interact with the material while you are listening or reading (e.g., take notes, answer previously developed questions) Reward yourself for learning activities and outcomes (e.g., listen to one song after 20 minutes of studying; go to a movie when you make an "A" on an exam)
Information Processing	Make sure you're paying attention during lectures and reading. Overview any reading before you actually get started. Identify major terms and concepts. Ask yourself different levels of questions when you study (e.g., low level -- what does this term mean; higher level -- how could I use this concept or principle; how is this concept similar or different from another) Give yourself time to allow time to pass before a review
Humanistic	Think about how this learning relates to your life goals or mission. Make sure you feel comfortable as you start your learning; if you feel stressed, take a few minutes to relax (close your eyes, imagine yourself in your favorite spot or activity; breath slowly and deeply) Imagine how you will feel when you successfully take a test on this material. Make a game out of learning the material; make it fun.
Cognitive Constructivism	Before you get started, review activity or concept and reflect on how this might be similar to something you've already done. Try to apply the principle or think about how you might apply it. Work with another student as you identify important terms, concepts, and principles.
Social Constructivism & Social Cognition	Work in a study group to learn the material. Take action and then reflect on how successful you have been in the learning process. Set goals for learning the concepts or skills, not just making a passing score on a test. Keep records of your learning activities and reflect on which ones seem to work best; talk about these with other students.

Summary of Theories Relating to Learning and Human Development

Summary of Theories
Relating to Learning and Human Development