LEARNING

Learning is a continuous and natural process to which the human being is exposed
every day of his/her life. This concept is defined by the lasting acquisition of knowledge,
behaviors, skills, or abilities through practice, study, or experience.

LEARNING THEORY
When talking about a theory, we must do so, considering they arise as answers to the
questions asked by researchers. So, a learning theory is defined as a set of different
concepts that observe, describe, explain, and guide the learning process of people and
everything that relates to this process.

Having defined these concepts, we present the learning theories with greater relevance
in the academic world.

1. Behavioral learning theory

Behaviorism states all stimuli are followed by a response based on the environment in
which the individual is. Learning can be explained from observable events related to
the behavior and the context in which learning occurs. Studies concerning behavioral
theory are based on experimental psychology. Some behaviorist theorists are Iván
Pavlov, John Watson, and B.F Skinner.

2. Cognitive theory
Cognitivism studies how the mind interprets, processes, and hand stores information
in memory. Its foundation lies in obtaining learning from childhood, proposing that
children have an orderly structure for information processing. In this theory,
individuals are an active entity in their learning process. The primary authors of this
theory are Jean Piaget, David Ausubel, and Jerome Brunner.

3. Constructivist theory
Constructivism indicates learning is not obtained passively but actively. As a
consequence, knowledge is a construction of the human being as a product of its
relationship with the environment, its own capabilities, and previous schemes. This is
one of the most used theories today and is related to the following theorists: Jean
Piaget, David Ausubel, Jerome Bruner, and Lev Vygotsky.

4. Meaningful learning theory

The meaningful learning theory was developed by the American psychologist David
Ausubel. This theory proposes the human being relates the new knowledge with those
he/she already possesses. Meaningful learning is based on obtaining quality learning
and understanding of concepts, contrary to memory or rote learning, which is based on
memorizing concepts without the need to understand them.

5. Theory of discovery learning

The theory of learning by discovery was developed by the American psychologist
Jerome Bruner. Like constructivist theory, discovery learning encourages the
participation of individuals in their learning process. It considers effective learning is
obtained when students face a problem not only to solve it but to transfer it.

6. Socio-constructivism
The Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky is the leading theoretician of socio-
constructivism. This theory is characterized by describing learning as a process
where social interaction is key to obtaining knowledge. The socialization process plays
a crucial role in learning as well as connections with prior experience.

7. Information processing theory

This theory postulates individuals are information processors. They do not necessarily
have to interact with the real environment, but their interaction is with a subjective
representation made of them. According to this theory, learning is obtained through
cognitive processes. This theory is defended by theorists Robert Gagné and Richard
Mayer.

8. Social learning theory

The theory of social learning is represented by the Canadian psychologist Albert
Bandura. According to this theory, learning is obtained as a consequence of mental
processes and the relationship with the environment. Social determinants influence
this process, so modeling is essential when learning.

9. Theory of multiple intelligences

The creator of this theory is the American psychologist Howard Gardner. Gardner
proposes every human being has eight intelligences. The development of these will
depend on the cultural and environmental exposure the individual has. According to
Gardner, not everyone learns in the same way, and learning becomes more effective
when information is individualized and pluralized.
 If you want to know more about learning and its types, we recommend: What is
Learning? and Which are its 15 Types?

If you are interested in learning about learning styles, we recommend: What are

Learning Styles? | 14 Learning Styles and their Characteristics

First Name

Email address:

Keep me updated!