4.2 Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism
2 min read•july 25, 2024
Learning theories shape how we understand and approach education. focuses on observable actions, on mental processes, and on building knowledge through experience. Each theory offers unique insights into how people learn and develop skills.
These foundational theories influence teaching methods and curriculum design. Behaviorist approaches use reinforcement, cognitivist strategies target information processing, and constructivist techniques emphasize active learning. Understanding these theories helps educators create effective learning environments.
Theoretical Foundations of Learning
Principles of learning theories
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- Behaviorism
- Focus on observable behaviors measured through changes in actions
- Learning viewed as modification of behavior through stimulus-response connections
- Stimulus-response associations form basis of learning (Pavlov's dogs)
- Reinforcement and punishment shape behavior (token economies, praise)
- Cognitivism
- Emphasis on internal mental processes like thinking, memory, problem-solving
- Learning conceptualized as information processing similar to computer operations
- Prior knowledge influences new learning ()
- Memory plays crucial role in learning (short-term, long-term memory)
- Constructivism
- Knowledge actively built by learners through experiences and reflection
- Social interaction central to learning process (group projects)
- Learner-centered experiences promote deeper understanding
- Learning involves creating personal meaning from new information
Comparison of learning processes
- Behaviorism
- Classical conditioning pairs neutral stimulus with unconditioned stimulus
- uses consequences to modify voluntary behaviors
- Shaping reinforces successive approximations toward desired behavior
- Cognitivism
- Information acquisition through sensory input and attention
- Encoding transforms information for storage in memory
- Retrieval accesses stored information when needed
- Schema formation organizes knowledge into mental frameworks
- Constructivism
- Active exploration and discovery of concepts (hands-on experiments)
- provides temporary support to reach higher levels of understanding
- Collaborative knowledge construction through peer interactions and discussions
History of learning theories
- Behaviorism
- Ivan Pavlov demonstrated classical conditioning with dogs salivating to bell
- John B. Watson established behaviorism as dominant psychology paradigm
- developed operant conditioning and programmed instruction
- Cognitivism
- proposed stages of cognitive development in children
- Jerome Bruner advocated for and spiral curriculum
- Robert Gagné outlined nine events of instruction for effective learning
- Constructivism
- emphasized social aspects of learning (zone of proximal development)
- John Dewey promoted experiential learning and real-world problem solving
- Ernst von Glasersfeld developed radical constructivism emphasizing subjective reality
Application in instructional design
- Behaviorist applications
- Programmed instruction breaks content into small, sequential steps
- Behavior modification techniques use reinforcement to change actions
- Token economies reward desired behaviors with tangible items (stickers)
- Cognitivist applications
- Advance organizers preview key concepts before detailed instruction
- Mnemonic devices aid memory recall (ROY G BIV for rainbow colors)
- Metacognitive strategies teach students to monitor their own learning
- Constructivist applications
- Problem-based learning presents real-world scenarios for students to solve
- Cooperative learning groups foster peer collaboration and knowledge sharing
- Inquiry-based instruction encourages student-driven exploration of topics
Key Terms to Review (21)
Active Learner: An active learner is an individual who engages directly with the learning material through participation, questioning, and application of knowledge. This type of learner often takes initiative in their education by exploring concepts deeply, rather than passively receiving information. They utilize strategies that promote critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world connections to enhance their understanding and retention of knowledge.
B.F. Skinner: B.F. Skinner was an American psychologist and behaviorist best known for his work on operant conditioning, which emphasizes the role of reinforcement and punishment in shaping behavior. His theories contributed significantly to behaviorism, a school of thought that focuses on observable behaviors rather than internal mental processes. Skinner's ideas have influenced various fields, including education, where they have been applied to develop teaching methods that utilize reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors in learners.
Behaviorism: Behaviorism is a psychological theory that focuses on observable behaviors and the ways in which they can be conditioned through interactions with the environment. This theory posits that learning occurs through responses to stimuli, emphasizing the role of reinforcement and punishment in shaping behavior. Behaviorism is often connected to educational practices that prioritize measurable outcomes and clear objectives, influencing curriculum design and teaching strategies.
Cognitivism: Cognitivism is a learning theory that focuses on the internal processes of the mind, emphasizing the role of mental activities such as thinking, memory, and problem-solving in the learning process. This perspective contrasts with behaviorism by asserting that learning involves the acquisition of knowledge and skills through cognitive processes rather than just a response to stimuli. It plays a crucial role in understanding how students learn and develop, connecting deeply with how educational practices can be informed by cognitive development theories.
Collaborative Learning: Collaborative learning is an educational approach where students work together in small groups to achieve shared learning goals, fostering communication, critical thinking, and social skills. This method emphasizes the importance of interaction among learners, enabling them to share perspectives, solve problems collectively, and support one another's understanding in a supportive environment.
Constructivism: Constructivism is a learning theory that suggests individuals construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world through experiences and reflection. This approach emphasizes active participation in learning, where learners build on prior knowledge and experiences to make sense of new information.
Constructivist approach: The constructivist approach is an educational theory that posits that learners construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world through experiences and reflection. This method emphasizes the role of the learner as an active participant in their learning process, where they build on prior knowledge and collaborate with others to create meaning, connecting deeply to the principles of behaviorism and cognitivism.
Differentiated instruction: Differentiated instruction is an educational approach that tailors teaching methods, materials, and assessments to accommodate the diverse learning needs, preferences, and abilities of students. This method emphasizes flexibility and responsiveness to each learner, ensuring that all students can access the curriculum in a way that suits them best.
Direct Instruction: Direct instruction is a structured, teacher-centered approach to teaching that emphasizes clear, explicit teaching of specific skills and knowledge. This method often involves carefully sequenced lessons where the teacher presents information and models skills, followed by guided practice and independent practice for students. It's a powerful method that connects with various educational philosophies and learning theories, focusing on how knowledge is transmitted and the role of the teacher in facilitating student understanding.
Discovery learning: Discovery learning is an instructional approach where students learn through exploration, inquiry, and problem-solving rather than through direct instruction. This method encourages learners to construct their own understanding and knowledge by engaging actively with the material, promoting deeper cognitive processing and critical thinking skills.
Facilitator: A facilitator is a person who guides and supports a group or individual in achieving their goals, often by encouraging participation, fostering collaboration, and promoting critical thinking. In educational settings, facilitators help learners take an active role in their learning process, as opposed to simply transmitting information. This approach emphasizes the importance of learner engagement, autonomy, and the development of skills necessary for self-directed learning.
Feedback loops: Feedback loops are processes in which the output or result of an action is returned as input, influencing future actions and decisions. This dynamic relationship helps refine behaviors and strategies through continual assessment and adjustment, making them essential in learning theories such as behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism. By facilitating a cycle of evaluation and modification, feedback loops enhance the effectiveness of learning experiences and promote deeper understanding.
Formative assessment: Formative assessment is an ongoing process used by educators to evaluate student learning, provide feedback, and inform instruction during the learning process. This approach emphasizes the importance of timely feedback and active involvement of students in their own learning, allowing adjustments to be made to teaching strategies and learning activities as needed.
Jean Piaget: Jean Piaget was a Swiss psychologist known for his pioneering work in the field of cognitive development, particularly in children. He introduced the idea that children actively construct their understanding of the world through stages of development, which can be linked to various learning theories, including behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism.
Lev Vygotsky: Lev Vygotsky was a Russian psychologist best known for his work on the social development theory, which emphasizes the importance of social interaction in cognitive development. His ideas highlight how culture and language play critical roles in learning, arguing that knowledge is constructed through collaboration with others rather than through individual discovery.
Operant Conditioning: Operant conditioning is a learning process through which behavior is shaped and maintained by its consequences, including rewards and punishments. This concept emphasizes the importance of reinforcement in encouraging desired behaviors and decreasing undesired ones, making it a fundamental idea in behaviorist theories. By manipulating these consequences, educators and psychologists can effectively influence behavior in various settings, including educational environments.
Performance-based assessment: Performance-based assessment is an evaluation method that requires students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills through real-world tasks and projects, rather than traditional tests. This type of assessment emphasizes the application of learning in practical contexts, allowing educators to gauge student understanding and ability to apply concepts in meaningful ways. It aligns closely with various educational theories, such as behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism, as it promotes active engagement and deep learning.
Scaffolding: Scaffolding is an instructional strategy that provides temporary support to learners as they develop new skills or understanding. This support is gradually removed as students become more proficient, allowing them to take greater responsibility for their learning. The concept emphasizes the importance of guiding learners through complex tasks while promoting independence and critical thinking.
Schema theory: Schema theory is a cognitive framework that helps individuals organize and interpret information based on their existing knowledge and experiences. It suggests that people use mental structures, or schemas, to process new information by fitting it into their pre-existing frameworks. This theory is significant for understanding how learning occurs, as it emphasizes the role of prior knowledge in the acquisition of new concepts and the integration of diverse subjects.
Summative assessment: Summative assessment is a method of evaluating student learning, knowledge, proficiency, or success at the end of an instructional unit by comparing it against some standard or benchmark. This type of assessment is typically used to determine whether students have mastered the content and skills they were expected to learn, influencing decisions about future instruction and program effectiveness.
Transmitter of knowledge: A transmitter of knowledge refers to an educational role where the teacher primarily delivers information to students, focusing on the direct transfer of facts, concepts, and skills. This approach emphasizes a more traditional, lecture-based format where students are seen as passive recipients rather than active participants in their learning process.