Concept 1 · free preview
At a glance: theories of learning
Understand
Learning is a relatively permanent change in behaviour that results from experience or practice. Psychologists explained it differently — some through stimulus–response (S-R) bonds, some through insight, some through observation. Exams mostly ask you to match name–experiment–law.
| Theory / author | Key idea | Experiment | Classroom use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trial and error — Thorndike | A correct response is strengthened by satisfaction (S-R bond) | Hungry cat, puzzle box | Arouse readiness, practise, let success satisfy |
| Classical conditioning — Pavlov | A neutral stimulus paired with a natural one comes to evoke the same response | Dog, bell, food, saliva | Pair subjects with pleasant experiences; remove fears |
| Operant conditioning — Skinner | Behaviour increases or decreases with its consequences (reinforcement) | Skinner box: rat (lever), pigeons | Immediate reinforcement, small steps, programmed instruction |
| Insight / Gestalt — Köhler | Sudden grasp of relationships in the whole situation | Chimpanzee Sultan, sticks and banana | Whole first, then parts; show relationships |
| Social / observational learning — Bandura | Learning by watching others (models) | Bobo doll | Teacher models desired behaviour |
| Hierarchy of learning — Gagné | 8 types of learning, simple to complex | — (hierarchical model) | Teach prerequisite concepts first |
| Constructivism — Piaget, Vygotsky | The learner constructs knowledge from experience | — | Teacher as facilitator, activity, questions |
Remember
Animals: cat = Thorndike; dog = Pavlov; rat/pigeon = Skinner; chimpanzee = Köhler; Bobo doll (children) = Bandura.
Check yourself
'Dog–bell–saliva' belongs to which theory?
Answer: Pavlov's classical conditioning.