Theories of learning in psychology

Theories that explain how we acquire knowledge. Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book. Learning can be a complex process. If you've ever tried to learn a new language or play an instrument, you probably know that learning outcomes can often vary.

It's why you might struggle with the basics of French despite your day Duolingo learning streak or stumble over reading sheet music despite regular practice. That's why researchers, educators, and psychologists are so interested in understanding how this process works. Knowing how people learn allows us to create instructional materials that make the process easier and more effective.

While definitions may vary, learning is often thought of as a relatively permanent change in behavior due to experience. It is influenced by various biological, cultural, social, and emotional variables. Several different theories have emerged to explain how people learn. Some of the main theories of learning include:. Keep reading to take a closer look at thise learning theories, including how each one explains the learning process.

During the early part of the twentieth century, many psychologists became increasingly interested in turning psychology into a more scientific endeavor.

Theories of learning in education

These psychologists, known as behaviorists , argued that psychology needed to study only things that could be measured and quantified to be more scientific. A few different behavioral theories emerged to explain how and why people behave the way they do. Behavioral theories are centered on the environmental influences on the learning process. Environmental influences include associations, reinforcements, and punishments.