The Four Psychological Perspectives of Learning

 “Learning is the acquisition of new behavior through conditioning.” (psychology.org, n.d.)  B. F. Skinner’s “behaviorism”, also known as “radical behaviorism” is built upon the premise that behavior is based on reward or punishment.  If an individual does a particular behavior and is rewarded (reinforcement) then the behavior will be repeated.  However, if an individual does a particular behavior and is punished it is likely the individual will not repeat the behavior. (Smaldino, et al, 2008)

            “Cognitivism, based on the work of Jean Piaget, looks at how learners receive, process, and manipulate information.” (Smaldino, et al, 2008, p11)  “Two key assumptions underlie this cognitive approach: (1) that the memory system is an active organized processor of information and (2) that prior knowledge plays an important role in learning. Cognitive theories look beyond behavior to explain brain-based learning.” (psychology.org, n.d.)

            Piaget’s “constructivism views learning as a process in which the learner actively constructs or builds new ideas or concepts based upon current and past knowledge or experience.” (thirteen.org, 2004)  To do this we ask questions, explore and assess what we know.  Constructivism transforms the student from a passive recipient of information (reproduce a series of facts) to an active participant (construct knowledge) in the learning process.” (thirteen.org, 2004)

            The social-psychological perspective “looks at the effects of the social organization of the classroom on learning – individual desks versus tables, cooperation versus competition, and instruction versus independent study.” (Smaldino, et al, 2008)  Slavin believes cooperative learning to be more effective and more socially beneficial than competitive and individualistic learning. (Smaldino, et al, 2008)

 “Learning Style Theory proposes that different people learn in different ways.” (UMD, 2011)  Of the 50 recognized learning styles and theories, the four most dominant psychological perspectives are behaviorist, cognitivist, constructivist, and social-psychological. (Smaldino, et al, 2008, p11)  Researchers in the field of psychology and educational instruction will stipulate that B. F. Skinner and Jean Piaget are pioneers credited with discovering what is considered the foundation of educational instruction, however not all researchers will agree that the four dominant perspectives are the most lucrative for all students/learners.  Each individual must determine what his or her own style of learning is in order to be successful in current and future learning situations.

Smaldino, S., Lowther, D., & Russell, J. (2008). Instructional Technology and Media for Learning, 9^th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc.

Operant Conditioning. (n.d.). Retrieved August 28, 2011, from http://tip.psychology.org/skinner.html.

Constructivism as a Paradigm for Teaching and Learning. (2004). Retrieved August 28, 2011, from http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/constructivism/index.html.