Cognitive Learning

Definition

Cognitive learning refers to the mental processes involved in acquiring, retaining, and applying knowledge. It encompasses the ways in which individuals perceive, think, remember, and learn, focusing on the internal mental states and operations that underlie behavior and performance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cognitive learning focuses on the mental processes involved in acquiring, retaining, and applying knowledge, rather than just observable behaviors.
2. It emphasizes the role of attention, perception, memory, reasoning, and problem-solving in the learning process.
3. Cognitive learning theories, such as constructivism and schema theory, highlight the active role of the learner in constructing their own understanding and knowledge.
4. Metacognition, or the ability to think about one's own thought processes, is a key component of cognitive learning and can enhance learning and problem-solving.
5. Cognitive learning approaches often involve strategies such as chunking information, creating mental models, and engaging in active learning activities to facilitate understanding and retention.

Review Questions

• Explain how the constructivist approach to learning aligns with the principles of cognitive learning.
  • The constructivist approach to learning aligns with the principles of cognitive learning by emphasizing the active role of the learner in constructing their own understanding and knowledge. Constructivism posits that individuals actively build their knowledge and mental representations based on their prior experiences and interactions with the environment. This process of active engagement and meaning-making is central to cognitive learning, where the learner's internal mental processes, such as perception, reasoning, and problem-solving, play a crucial role in the acquisition and application of knowledge.
• Describe the role of schema theory in cognitive learning and how it influences the way individuals process and organize information.
  • Schema theory is a key concept in cognitive learning, as it explains how individuals organize and interpret information by creating mental frameworks or schemas. These schemas act as cognitive structures that guide the learner's understanding and learning. When encountering new information, individuals attempt to assimilate it into their existing schemas or accommodate their schemas to incorporate the new information. This process of schema development and modification is central to cognitive learning, as it allows learners to actively organize, interpret, and make sense of the information they encounter, facilitating their ability to retain and apply knowledge effectively.
• Analyze how the development of metacognitive skills can enhance cognitive learning and problem-solving abilities.
  • The development of metacognitive skills is a crucial aspect of cognitive learning, as it enables learners to think about their own thought processes, monitor their learning, and regulate their cognitive strategies. By cultivating metacognitive abilities, learners can better plan, monitor, and evaluate their learning, leading to improved understanding, retention, and problem-solving skills. Metacognition allows learners to identify their strengths and weaknesses, set appropriate learning goals, select and implement effective learning strategies, and reflect on their progress. This self-awareness and self-regulation are essential for cognitive learning, as they empower learners to take an active and intentional approach to their own learning, ultimately enhancing their ability to acquire, apply, and transfer knowledge effectively.

Related terms

Constructivism: A learning theory that emphasizes the active role of the learner in constructing their own understanding and knowledge through experiences and interactions.

Schema Theory: A theory that explains how individuals organize and interpret information by creating mental frameworks or schemas that guide their understanding and learning.

Metacognition: The ability to think about one's own thought processes, monitor their learning, and regulate their cognitive strategies to enhance understanding and problem-solving.