Learning Theories

Learning theories can be broken into three categories-behavior, cognitive, and social. Some might say that one is more important than another, but I feel that they need to act together for students to achieve the best outcome. In the social learning theory students learn to behave according to their surroundings. It may be from watching others (modeled behaviors) or from the environment in which they live and go to school (learning environment). In behavioral learning theory one can probably recall Pavlov's test with dogs, food, and the bell. This was a perfect example of classical conditioning. For some this type of conditioning may not be appropriate or just feel that there may be a better example. This other example could be in operant conditioning when a person has a particular reaction to a designated stimulus. For many people cognitive learning theory is the most important. This is the way a person thinks and the impact they may have on themselves, others, and the world in general. Cognitive learning can help to achieve a better society and give insight to the goal of human thinking. The learning theories concept map is a good source of information to help see the three major theories in a simpler format and as a reference tool.