LEARNING APPROACHES

Conceptual Approaches to Learning

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of three broad approaches to learning, which are behavioral, cognitive, and neuroscience approaches. Fundamental characteristics of the theories are discussed along with similarities and differences of the concepts. Some examples are also given for the approaches to learning.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Introduction1

Cognitive Learning1

Behavioral Learning1

Neuroscience Learning2

Differences between Learning Approaches2

Similarities between Learning Approaches2

Real Life Examples3

Conclusion3

Summary and Analysis of the Research Material4

Keywords4

Databases4

References5

Conceptual Approaches to Learning

Introduction

Conceptual learning is a process by which individuals learn how to organize information in logical mental structures. It focuses on learning organizing principles - the cubby holes in which the mind organizes facts into ideas. Conceptual learning is a catalyst for challenging the individuals to think at more advanced levels (Terry, 2009). There are three types of conceptual learning approaches, Cognitive, Behavioral and Neuroscience.

Cognitive Learning

Cognitive theory is a learning theory of psychology that attempts to explain human behaviour by understanding the thought processes (Terry, 2009). The assumption is that humans are logical beings that make the choices that make the most sense to them. “Information processing” is a commonly used description of the mental process, comparing the human mind to a computer.

Behavioral Learning

The behavioral approach tries to portray the relation amongst consequences, stimuli and responses. This learning approach looks at the possible stimuli which precede the behaviors, the response of the behavior and the outcomes of the behavior after its occurrence. The sub-divisions of the behavioral learning include instrumental conditioning, classical and operant conditioning.

Neuroscience Learning

The approach of neuroscience considers the changes in the biological happenings during the process of learning within the brain. The activity levels of the neuroscience are calculated with MRI or PET scans (Terry, 2009).

Differences between Learning Approaches

A difference between the cognitive, neuroscience and behavior learning is that the cognitive approach is inactive throughout the senses ...