Learning Theory : UGC NET Commerce Notes and Study Material!

Learning theories aim to describe how learning takes place. They look at the different facets that affect learning. While there are many theories, most focus on the learner, the learning cycle, or the environment. Learning theories admit that both inner and outer facets affect learning. How data is calmed and processed internally and environmental stimuli externally affect learning. Theories provide different views on how these facets work together in the learning process. By focusing on key concepts rather than detailed answers to each theory, we can gain an outline of some of the main learning theory types. This allows us to see how different theories complete each other in defining the learning process.

Learning theory is a vital topic to be studied for the commerce related exam such as the UGC-NET Commerce Examination.

In this article, learners will be able to know about the following:

• Learning Theory Definition
• Learning Theory Examples
• Learning Theory in Psychology
• Learning Theory Approaches

Learning Theory Definition

Learning theory is the way to understand how people learn new things. It explains different methods and processes that help us gain knowledge and skills. Some theories say learning happens when we make connections, like seeing patterns or solving problems. Others say learning happens by practicing and repeating things until we get better. Learning can also happen by observing others and copying their actions. These theories help the teachers know how to make learning easier and fun for the students.

Learning Theory Examples

Learning theories help us understand how we learn new things. There are different ideas about how people gain knowledge and skills. Here are some examples of learning theories that show how learning happens.

Classical Conditioning

Classical conditioning is when we learn by connecting two things together. It was first studied by a scientist named Ivan Pavlov. In his experiment, Pavlov showed that dogs could learn to salivate when they heard a bell if the bell was always followed by food. This shows that we can connect a sound with something that happens afterward. For example, if you always hear music when eating your favorite snack, you might start feeling hungry when you hear that music. This is because the brain associates food with the sound of music.

Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning is a way we learn by either getting something good or avoiding something bad. A psychologist named B.F. Skinner came up with this idea. For example, if you finish your homework and get extra playtime as a reward, you’ll probably want to do it again. But, if you don’t do your chores and lose your game time as a punishment, you might stop skipping chores. This shows how we learn what is good and bad based on the results of our actions. Operant conditioning helps explain why we keep doing things that get rewards and try to avoid things that lead to punishments. This idea is used in schools, homes, and many other places.

Social Learning Theory

Social learning theory says we learn by watching others and copying what they do. This theory was created by psychologist Albert Bandura. He believed that we learn a lot from watching the people around us, like our family or friends. For instance, if you experience someone helping someone else in a class, it might make you want to offer help to as many people as possible. Social learning shows how we learn that we do not only learn what is in a book but people and the rest of the world, too.

Learning Theory in Psychology

Learning theory in psychology aids in explaining the learning of people for new things. It tells us how people's thoughts, behavior, and skills change from time to time. Psychologists developed various theories regarding the better understanding of this process.

Behaviorism

The main concept in this learning theory is behaviorism, which helps a person know what he learns by seeing the environmental elements. That means a man learns through rewards and punishments. For instance, if you're praised for doing something good, you'll want to repeat it. Conversely, if you are punished for doing something, you may never do it again. This theory proves that learning takes place because of experiences and not based on thoughts or feelings. Behaviorism explains why we do certain things that happen to us.

Cognitivism

Cognitivism is a theory of learning in which we explain how we think and understand things. This theory believes that learning occurs within our minds because we process information. It therefore focuses on remembering, solving problems, and deciding. For instance, when one is studying for a test, the brain thinks about the information and organizes it. It lets us know how we assimilate new information and make sense of it. Cognitivism shows that learning involves understanding and thinking and not reacting to the world.

Constructivism

Constructivism is a learning theory that says we learn by building on what we already know. Constructivism believes that people create their own understanding based on their experiences. Such would be the learning to ride a bicycle. Practice is how I built knowledge-trying new stuff, seeing new ideas, working them out myself. This concept puts learning as more of an effective process-that we try, explore, come to understand our way. Coaches help students learn by taking a guiding posture, asking questions to encourage that thinking. From this perspective constructivism supports that learning includes knowing and action.

Learning Theory Approaches

Learning theory approaches help in explaining how people learn in different ways. These approaches guide teachers and students on how to understand and improve learning. There are different methods to learning, and each approach has its own way of explaining how we learn best.

The Behaviorist Approach

The behaviorist approach focuses on learning through behavior and responses to the environment. It states that we learn based on the reaction we make towards things, like rewards and punishments. For instance, if a student receives a reward for his or her homework, then the student might desire doing it more often. The behaviorist approach believes that learning takes place when one does some action repeatedly and seems to reap the fruit. This helps explain why we attempt to do something that yields good results. This approach is mainly about how the outside world influences what we do.

The Cognitive Approach

It refers to how our brain works. It focuses on how we think and remember and how we solve problems. With this approach, learning is regarded as an active process where we try to understand and make sense of new things. For instance, when you are learning math, you use your brain to think about the rules and apply them to solve problems. This approach says that learning is about organizing and storing information in our minds. It helps us understand how our thoughts and ideas grow over time.

The Constructivist Approach

The constructivist approach says that we learn by building on our past experiences. It believes that learning happens when we actively engage with new ideas and explore them. For example, if you are learning about the solar system, you might explore the planets by watching videos, reading, and experimenting. This approach emphasizes learning through discovery and hands-on activities. Teachers guide students by asking questions and encouraging them to think critically. The constructivist approach helps students associate what they know with what they are learning.

The Humanistic Approach

The humanistic approach has to do with personal growth and motivation in learning. It believes that people learn better when they feel good about themselves and are motivated enough to learn. For instance, if a student is excited by a topic, they will be interested in the topic. This approach is actually saying that learning is developing a potential, creative, and inspiring way. This approach requires creating a supportive atmosphere in class with the teachers as they attempt to make their learners feel confident about succeeding in their pursuit of goals.

Learning Curve Theory

The learning curve theory is a concept that describes the relationship between the cumulative production or experience and the average cost per unit. It suggests that as workers or organizations gain experience or expertise in producing a particular product or service, the average cost per unit decreases over time. The learning curve theory is based on the idea that learning and efficiency improvements occur as a result of repetition and experience.

Conclusion

The various learning theories offer diverse yet complementary views on the learning process. Each one fears critical aspects of how people acquire learning and skills. While the behavioral and cognitive theories focus on visual behaviors and internal mental methods, social and humanistic theories stress environmental effects and learners' inner prospect. An mixed sense of learning likely has parts from multiple theories. Future research can continue probing the interplay between various facets shaping how and why people learn.

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