Examining Different Learning Theories Essay

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 962 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 3

Page 1 of 3

Dominant Learning Theories

Excellence in the field of pedagogy depends on an understanding of the major learning theories and models along with an ability to use them when appropriate. Even if one doesn't agree with these major learning theories, it's still important to be aware of them as a professional. A strong comprehension of the major learning theories can also help to guide one's actions and choices as an educator, scholar or general pedagogue.

Behaviorism, for example, is a major learning theory which asserts that the bulk of learning that occurs in human beings is done through conditioning. This is important as it puts a lot of focus on the power of the environment and how the environment can shape a person's behaviors through the stimuli acquired. Behaviorism is a school of learning which pays very little attention to mental states, finding things like moods and emotions to be too subjective. This is perhaps the biggest difference that lies between behaviorism as a learning theory and the cognitive learning theory. Cognitive learning theory plays fierce attention to mental and internal states, while behaviorism sees these states as of little consequence.

One of the benefits of behaviorism is that it truly believes that any single person could be trained and developed to perform virtually any task, in spite of things like their genetic background or personality traits: it all depends on the right conditioning.

Stuck Writing Your "Examining Different Learning Theories" Essay?

View All Our Example Examining Different Learning Theories Essay

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

This is part of the reason why conditioning can be seen as so effective because one can use it easily within the workplace. Classic conditioning is a technique used in behavioral training which happens when a stimulus is connected with a response: "Next, a previously neutral stimulus is paired with the naturally occurring stimulus. Eventually, the previously neutral stimulus comes to evoke the response without the presence of the naturally occurring stimulus. The two elements are then known as the conditioned stimulus and the conditioned response" (Cherry, 2014). Operant conditioning is a type of learning that occurs via rewards and punishments for behavior: this can also be useful in the workplace as it creates a strong correlation between cause and effect and behavior and consequences for a given behavior. This can also be used in the workplace: for example, if an employee is constantly late, money could be taken out of his pay as a means of deterring this problematic behavior.

One of the dominant theories in the field of education is the cognitive learning theory which looks mainly to the thought processes of human behavior as a means of explanation. The overwhelming foundational assumption which underscores the cognitive process is that human beings are logic-based creatures and generally make decisions which are based on choices that make the most sense to….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Examining Different Learning Theories" (2014, July 01) Retrieved June 6, 2026, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/examining-different-learning-theories-190229

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Examining Different Learning Theories" 01 July 2014. Web.6 June. 2026. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/examining-different-learning-theories-190229>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Examining Different Learning Theories", 01 July 2014, Accessed.6 June. 2026,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/examining-different-learning-theories-190229
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example