Learning Theories Cognitive vs. Behavioral presented by Roberto Camargo EDTC-3320

The purpose of this presentation is to describe two theorists one cognitive and one behavioral. It will also describe the theories of these two theorists. It will analyze how the selected learning theories impact teaching and training. It will evaluate the applicability of each theory.

Introduction Behaviorism and Cognitivism Psychologies Behaviorism and cognitivism are two major psychological perspectives that have dominated how learning has been viewed throughout the 20th century and into the 21st century. These two perspectives provide unique approaches to how learning takes place.

Behaviorism Psychology Behaviorism (or behaviourism) is an approach to psychology that combines elements of philosophy, methodology, and theory. It emerged in the early twentieth century as a reaction to "mentalistic" psychology, which often had difficulty making predictions that could be tested using rigorous experimental methods.

Cognitive Psychology Cognitive psychology is the study of mental processes such as attention, language use, memory, perception, problem solving, creativity, and thinking. Much of the work derived from cognitive psychology has been integrated into various other modern disciplines of psychological study, including educational psychology, social psychology, personality psychology, abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, and economics.

The behaviorists believe that learning is due to a change in behavior as a result of experience, whereas the cognitivists stress that learning is a change in mental representations and associations resulting from experience. Not one or the other should be solely used.

B. F. Skinner Behavioral Theorist Burrhus Frederic (B. F.) Skinner (March 20, 1904 – August 18, 1990) was an American psychologist, behaviorist, author, inventor, and social philosopher. He was the Edgar Pierce Professor of Psychology at Harvard University from 1958 until his retirement in 1974.

B. F. Skinner Skinner called his approach to the study of behavior, Radical behaviorism. This philosophy of behavioral science assumes that behavior is a result of environmental histories of reinforcement. In contrast to the approach of cognitive science, behaviorism does not feel that private events such as thinking, perceptions, and unobservable emotions as causes of an organism's behavior.

Skinner’s biggest impact in education came with his Operant Conditioning Theory

Skinner’s Operant Conditioning Theory In this operant conditioning process, actions that are followed by good consequences are reinforced and therefore those behaviors are more likely to occur again in the future. Behaviors that result in negative consequences, on the other hand, become less likely to occur again.

Jean Piaget Cognitive Theorist Jean Piaget (August 9,1896 – September 16,1980) was a Swiss developmental psychologist and philosopher known for his epistemological studies with children. His theory of cognitive development and epistemological view are together called "genetic epistemology".

Jean Piaget’s contributions Piaget was the first psychologist to make a systematic study of cognitive development. His contributions include a theory of cognitive child development, detailed observational studies of cognition in children, and a series of simple but ingenious tests to reveal different cognitive abilities.

Piaget’s theories of cognitive impacted education by many ways. His principals included focus on the process of children's thinking, not just its products. Recognition of the crucial role of children's self-initiated and active involvement in learning activities. A de-emphasis on practices aimed at children becoming 'adult-like' in their thinking. Acceptance of individual differences in developmental progress. Piaget’s Impact on Education

The application of behaviorism and cognitivism theories for the adult educational environment Skinner’s Operant Conditioning theory holds true for the adult environment. Positive reinforcement for example, require that the learner makes response for questions asked and provide feedback for positive reinforcement. Piaget’s theory of learning applies to adults in technology. The technology must engage the learner in an interactive platform such as multimedia and virtual reality. This is in line with Piaget’s theory.

Conclusion Behaviorism and cognitivism are two psychological perspectives of how learning has been viewed throughout the 20th century. B. F. Skinner was a Behavioral theorist and Jean Piaget was Cognitive theorist. They both have impacted the educational environment in both traditional and virtual classrooms.

References: B.F. Skinner | Operant Conditioning | Simply Psychology. (n.d.). Retrieved from Brown, A., & Green, T. D. (2011). The essentials of instructional design: Connecting fundamental principles with process and practice. Boston: Prentice Hall. Educational Implications. (n.d.). Retrieved from Operant conditioning. (n.d.). Retrieved from

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