Learning and Cognition

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Let's take a closer look at information and theories from various sources, which you can draw on your speech.

RESPONSE:

? Definition of learning is examined

Many scholars define learning similarly: Learning refers to a relatively permanent change in behavior as a result of practice or experience. (Atkinson, Atkinson, Smith, Bem, & Nolen-Hoeksema, 1996, p. 227, as cited in Sheldon, 1997, http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-20190251.html). However, different theories of learning define learning in different ways, such as active versus active learning. The cognitivist paradigm essentially argues that the "black box" of the mind should be opened and understood. The learner is viewed as an active information processor (like a computer). Originators and important contributors: Merrill -Component Display Theory (CDT), Reigeluth (Elaboration Theory), Gagne, Briggs, Wager, Bruner (moving toward cognitive constructivism), Schank (scripts), Scandura (structural learning). (http://www.learning-theories.com/category/cognitive-theories).

OTHER THEORIES THAT HAVE IMPLIED DEFINITIONS OF LEARNING INCLUDE:

? Operant (Instrumental) Conditioning
The major theorists for the development of operant conditioning are Edward Thorndike, John Watson, and B. F. Skinner. They proposed that learning is the result of the application of consequences; that is, learners begin to connect certain responses with certain stimuli. This connection causes the probability of the response to change (i.e., learning occurs.) URL: http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/behsys/operant.html The theory of B.F. Skinner is based upon the idea that learning is a function of change in overt behavior. Changes in behavior are the result of an individual's response to events (stimuli) that occur in the environment. (URL: http://tip.psychology.org/skinner.html)

? Bandura's Social Learning Theory posits that people learn from one another, via observation, imitation, and modeling. The theory has often been called a bridge between behaviorist and cognitive learning theories because it encompasses attention, memory, and motivation. (See http://www.learning-theories.com/social-learning-theory-bandura.html#more-13)

? Connectionism (E. Thorndike)
The learning theory of Thorndike represents the original S-R framework of behavioral psychology: Learning is the result of associations forming between stimuli and responses. Such associations or "habits" become strengthened or weakened by the nature and frequency of the S-R pairings.
URL: http://tip.psychology.org/thorn.html http://www.psychology.org/links/Environment_Behavior_Relationships/Learning/

? Contiguity Theory (E. Guthrie)
Guthrie's contiguity theory specifies that "a combination of stimuli which has accompanied a movement will on its recurrence tend to be followed by that movement". According to Guthrie, all learning was a consequence of association between a particular ...