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Jungian Learning Styles

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Have you ever felt like you learn best in a particular way? These learning styles impact
how well we learn under certain conditions. Some students learn best by hearing
information while others learn best by seeing it. Some different theories have emerged to
describe how students prefer to learn best.

One learning style theory is based on the work of analytical psychologist Carl Jung, who
developed a theory of psychological types designed to categorize people in terms of
various personality patterns. Jung’s theory focuses on four basic psychological functions:

1. Extraversion vs. Introversion

2. Sensation vs. Intuition
3. Thinking vs. Feeling
4. Judging vs. Perceiving

This theory later led to the development of the now-famous Myers-Briggs Type
Indicator.

In addition to influencing personality assessment, Jung's dimensions can also be used to

assess and describe various learning styles. While each dimension represents a unique
aspect of a learning style, it is important to remember that your individual learning style
may include a combination of these dimensions. For example, your learning style might
include elements of extroverted, sensing, feeling, and perceiving learning styles.

Continue reading to learn more about each dimension in order to determine which
combination best describes your unique style.

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Extraverted Learning Style

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The first component of the Jungian learning style dimensions indicates how learners
interact with the outside world. Extraverted learners enjoy generating energy and ideas
from other people. They prefer socializing and working in groups. Learning activities that
benefit extraverted learners include teaching others how to solve a problem,
collaborative/group work, and problem-based learning. If you enjoy teaching others,
participating in a group and learning by experience, you are probably an extraverted
learner.

Number of Extraverted Learners

Approximately 60% of learners are extraverted learners.

Characteristics of Extravert Learners

 Learns best through direct experience

 Enjoys working with others in groups
 Often gathers ideas from outside sources
 Willing to lead, participate and offer opinions
 Jumps right in without guidance from others

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Introverted Learning Style

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While introverted learners are still sociable, they prefer to solve problems on their own.
Introverted learners enjoy generating energy and ideas from internal sources, such as
brainstorming, personal reflection, and theoretical exploration. These learners prefer to
think about things before attempting to try a new skill. If you enjoy solitary studying,
individual work, and abstract ideas, you are probably an introverted learner.

Number of Introverted Learners

Approximately 40% of learners are introverted learners.

Characteristics of Introvert Learners

 Prefers to work alone

 Enjoys quiet, solitary work
 Often generates ideas from internal sources
 Prefers to listen, watch and reflect
  Likes to observe others before attempting a new skill

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Sensing Learning Style

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Sensing learners are focused on aspects of the physical environment. Jung described
these individuals as being interested in the external world. They tend to be realistic and
practical, preferring to rely on information gained through experience. While people with
a sensing learning style enjoy order and routine, they also tend to be very quick to adapt
to changing environments and situations.

Number of Sensing Learners

Approximately 65% of learners have a sensing learning style.

Characteristics of Sensate Learners

 Focuses on the present

 Practical and reasonable
 Utilizes experience and common sense to solve problems
 Keenly observe the surrounding world

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Intuitive Learning Style

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Intuitive learners tend to focus more on the world of possibility. Unlike sensing learners
who are interested in the here and now, intuitive learners enjoy considering ideas,
possibilities, and potential outcomes. These learners like abstract thinking,
daydreaming and imagining the future.

Number of Intuitive Learners

Approximately 35% of learners are intuitive learners.

Characteristics of Intuitive Learners

 Prefers to work in short sessions, rather than finishing a task all at once
 Enjoys new challenges, experiences, and situations
 More likely to look at the big picture rather than the details
 Like theories and abstract ideas

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Thinking Learning Style

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Individuals with a thinking learning style tend to focus more on the structure and function
of information and objects. Thinking learners utilize rationality and logic when dealing
with problems and decisions. These learners often base decisions on personal ideas of
right, wrong, fairness, and justice.

Number of Thinking Learners

Approximately 55% of males and 35% of females have a thinking learning style.

Characteristics of Thinking Learners

 Interested in logic and patterns

 Dislike basing decisions on emotions
 Bases decisions on reason and logic

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Feeling Learning Style

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People with a feeling style manage information based on the initial emotions and feelings
it generates. Individuals with this learning style are interested in personal relationships,
feelings, and social harmony. If you base decisions on emotions and dislike conflict, you
might have a feeling learning style.

Number of Feeling Learners

Approximately 45% of males 65% of females are feeling learners.

Characteristics of Feeling Learners

 Interested in people and their feelings

 In tune with their own emotions and those of other people
 Base decisions on immediate feelings
 Generates excitement and enthusiasm in group settings

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Judging Learning Style

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Judging learners tend to be very decisive. In some cases, these learners may actually
make decisions too quickly before learning everything they need to know about a
situation. These learners prefer order and structure, which is why they tend to plan out
activities and schedules very carefully. If you are highly organized, detail-oriented, and
have strong opinions, you might be a judging learner.

Number of Judging Learners

Approximately 45% of people are judging learners.

Characteristics of Judging Learners

 Do not like ambiguity or mystery

 Tend to be firm in their decisions
 Very organized and structured
 Strong opinions
 Generally follows the rules

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Perceiving Learning Style
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Perceiving learners tend to make decisions impulsively in response to new information

and changing situations. However, these learners tend to focus more on indulging their
curiosity rather than making decisions. Unlike judging learners who tend not to change
their minds, perceiving learners prefer to keep their options open. If you tend to start
many projects at once (often without finishing any of them), avoid strict schedules, and
jump into projects first without planning, you might be a perceiving learner.

Number of Perceiving Learners

Approximately 55% of people are perceiving learners.

Characteristics of Perceiving Learners

 Often make impulsive decisions

 Change decisions based on new information
 Dislike structure and organization
 Tends to be very flexible and adaptable
 Sometimes has trouble making decisions

Final Thoughts

The learning styles based on Jung's theory of personality represent just one way of
thinking about how people learn. While the concept of learning styles remains very
popular today, research has found little evidence to support the idea that offering
instruction based upon learning preferences leads to improved learning outcomes. Some
other theories that attempt to categorize learning styles include the VARK learning style
model and the Kolb learning style model.
VARK

Learning styles are a popular concept in psychology and education and are intended to
identify how people learn best. The VARK model of learning styles suggests that there
are four main types of learners. These four key types are:

 Visual learners
 Auditory learners
 Reading/writing learners
 Kinesthetic learners

It has long been a question as to whether students learn best when teaching methods and
school activities match their learning style, learning strengths, and preferences. The
popularity of this concept grew dramatically during the 1970s and 1980s, despite the
evidence suggesting that personal learning preferences have little to no actual influence
on learning results. While the existing research has found that matching teaching methods
to learning styles has no influence on educational outcomes, the concept of learning
styles remains extremely popular.

VARK Learning Styles

There are many different ways of categorizing learning styles including Kolb's model and
the Jungian learning styles.  Neil Fleming's VARK model is one of the most popular
representations. In 1987, Fleming developed an inventory designed to help students and
others learn more about their individual learning preferences.

In Fleming's model, which are often referred to as VARK learning styles, learners are
identified by whether they have a preference for visual learning (pictures, movies,
diagrams), auditory learning (music, discussion, lectures), reading and writing (making
lists, reading textbooks, taking notes), or kinesthetic learning (movement, experiments,
hands-on activities).

What Type of Learner Are You?

In order to identify which type of learner people are, Fleming developed a self-report
inventory that posed a series of situations and respondents are asked to select the answers
that best match their preferred approach to learning.

For example:

Imagine that you are learning how to perform a new physical skill such as riding a bike or
dancing a certain style of dance. In which way would you learn this skill the best?

1. Looking at pictures of people performing the skill

 2. Listening to an expert explain how to do the task
3. Reading about how to perform the task in a book
4. Watching someone else perform the skill and then trying it yourself

If you chose number one, then you might be a visual learner. If you would rather listen to
someone explain how to do the task, then you might be an auditory learner. Those who
would prefer to read written instructions are likely reading/writing learners, while those
who would rather gain hands-on experience are most likely kinesthetic learners. Take a
closer look at what each of the VARK learning styles entails.

Visual Learners

Visual learners learn best by seeing. Graphic displays such as charts, diagrams,
illustrations, handouts, and videos are all helpful learning tools for visual learners. People
who prefer this type of learning would rather see information presented in a visual rather
than in written form.

If you think you might be a visual learner, answer the following questions:

 Do you have to see information in order to remember it?

 Do you pay close attention to body language?
 Are art, beauty, and aesthetics important to you?
 Does visualizing information in your mind help you remember it better?

If you can answer yes to most of these questions, chances are good that you have a visual
learning style.

Aural Learners

Aural (or auditory) learners learn best by hearing information. They tend to get a great
deal out of lectures and are good at remembering things they are told.

Are you an auditory learner? Consider the following questions:

 Do you prefer to listen to class lectures rather than reading from the textbook?
 Does reading out loud help you remember information better?
 Would you prefer to listen to a recording of your class lectures or a podcast rather
than going over your class notes?
 Do you create songs to help remember information?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, then you are probably an auditory learner.

Reading and Writing Learners

Reading and writing learners prefer to take in information displayed as words. Learning
materials that are primarily text-based are strongly preferred by these learners.
Could you be a reading and writing learner? Read through the following questions and
think about whether they might apply to you.

 Do you find reading your textbook to be a great way to learn new information?
 Do you take a lot of notes during class and while reading textbooks?
 Do you enjoy making lists, reading definitions, and creating presentations?
 Do you prefer it when teachers make use of overheads and handouts?

If you answered yes to these questions, it is likely that you have a strong preference for
the reading and writing style of learning.

Kinesthetic Learners

Kinesthetic (or tactile) learners learn best by touching and doing. Hands-on experience is
important to kinesthetic learners.

Not sure if you're a kinesthetic learner? Answer these questions to find out:

 Do you enjoy performing tasks that involve directly manipulating objects and
materials?
 Is it difficult for you to sit still for long periods of time?
 Are you good at applied activities such as painting, cooking, mechanics, sports,
and woodworking?
 Do you have to actually practice doing something in order to learn it?

If you responded yes to these questions, then you are most likely a kinesthetic learner.

Is It Helpful to Know Your Learning Style?

The validity of the VARK model as well as other learning style theories has been
questioned and criticized extensively. One large-scale look at learning style models
suggested that the instruments designed to assess individual learning styles were
questionable, while other critics have suggested that labeling students as having one
specific learning style can actually be a hindrance to learning.

Despite the criticism and lack of empirical support, the VARK model remains fairly
popular among both students and educators. Many students immediately recognize that
they are drawn to a particular learning style. Others may find that their learning
preferences lie somewhere in the middle. For example, a student might feel that both
visual and auditory learning is the most appealing.

While aligning teaching strategies to learning styles may or may not be effective, students
might find that understanding their own learning preferences can be helpful. For example,
if you know that visual learning appeals to you most, using visual study strategies in
conjunction with other learning methods might help you better remember the information
you are studying—or at the very least make studying more enjoyable.
If no single learning preference calls out to you or you change preferences based on the
situation or the type of information you are learning, you probably have what is known as
a multimodal style.