Cognitive vs. Behavioral Learning Theories Cognitive vs. Behavioral Brenda Lee Galvan

Cognitive Theorist Robert Gagné (1916 – 2002)

Robert Gagné Cognitive Theorist An American educational psychologist Best known for his book entitled “Condition of Learning” His work is sometimes known as “Gagné Assumptions” Received a A.B. at Yale University through a scholarship 1962 joined American Institutes Research and wrote his first book, “The Conditions of Learning” Retired in 1993 from Florida State University

Robert Gagné Cognitive Theorist The Gagné Assumption consists of: 5 categories of learning Verbal information Intellectual skills Cognitive strategies Motor skills Attitude

Robert Gagné Cognitive Theorist 9 Events of Instruction Gaining attention – retain the learners interest Informing learners of objectives – discuss the learning materials Stimulating recall of prior learning – ask questions to gain information about learner Presenting the stimulus – teaching the objectives Providing learning guidance – assist the learner with learning activities

Robert Gagné Cognitive Theorist 9 Events of Instruction (cont.) Eliciting performance – learner should complete an activity on the lesson Providing feedback – inform learner on how they performed on activity Assessing performance – evaluating the learner on complete objectives Enhancing retention and transfer – provide the learner with activities to help them understand the objectives

Robert Gagné Cognitive Theorist 8 Conditions of learning Signal learning – learner makes a response to a signal Stimulus-response learning – specific response by the learner Chaining – a set of responses in a sequential order Verbal association – making connections verbally

Robert Gagné Cognitive Theorist 8 Conditions of learning (cont.) Discrimination learning – different response to stimuli that are similar Concept learning – ability to make a response to different incentives Rule learning – a group of concepts to show a specific behavior Problem solving – the learner will use all rules to solve problem

Behavioral Theorist B.F. Skinner (1904 – 1990)

B.F. Skinner Behavioral Theorist Education Bachelor’s in English literature from Hamilton College in 1926 Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1931 In 1936 had his first teaching job at the University of Minnesota In 1946 became chairman of the psychology department at Indiana University In 1948 he was a contracted professor at Harvard University and remained there until his retirement

B.F. Skinner Accomplishments Behavioral Theorist Invented the Operant Conditioning Chamber (aka Skinner box) Better known for his contraption of radical behavior He was granted many awards for his many achievements Received the Citation for Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to Psychology by the American Psychological Association eight days before his passing

B.F. Skinner Operant Conditioning Theory Behavioral Theorist Behavior is being determined through positive or negative reinforcement His educational goal was to make sure learners had survival skills for themselves and society The teachers role is to emphasize on these skills and help terminate behavior that is unsatisfactory

Robert Gagné- Cognitive Theorist Impact on Education Gagné Assumption It covers all phases of learning through intellectual skills in the classroom Instructor is encourage to master every step with the learner before proceeding with the next

B.F. Skinner - Behavioral Theorist Impact on Education Operant Conditioning Theory Reinforcements are used to guide a students success in behavior Students can have a positive or negative reaction to learning concepts

Summary Cognitive vs. Behavioral The Gagné Assumption on cognitive learning consists of “The Conditions of Learning” Used in higher learning environments, his learning style recognizes different approaches of teaching Skinner’s Operant Condition is based on the behavioral learning in education Rewarding students with an incentive for doing a job well done is reinforced whether it was a positive or negative behavior

Work Cited B.F. Skinner (2008). In New World Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 18, 2013 from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/B._F._Skinner Brown, A., & Green, T. (2011). The Essentials of Instructional Design. (2nd ed., Vol. ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education. Skinner, B.F. (1974). About Behaviorism. New York, NY: Random House, Inc. Specht, P. (2008). Robert Gagné. Retrieved June 16, 2013 from http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/spechtp/575/learningtheorist.html Swenson, C. (2013). Theories of Learning in Educational Psychology. Retrieved June 19, 2013 from http://www.lifecircles-inc.com/Learningtheories/behaviorism/Skinner.html Vargas, J. (2013). B.F. Skinner Foundation: Better behavioral science for a more humane world. Retrieved June 16, 2013 from http://www.bfskinner.org/BFSkinner/Home.html Wikipedia (2013). Retrieved June 16, 2013 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_M._Gagné