Theories of Learning and Development Flashcards
What’s the meaning of learning?
The cognitive and behavioral changes that result from experiences
What’s the meaning of theory?
A set of assumptions or principles that organise, analyse, predict, or explain specific events, behaviors or processes; they’re used to explain a particular phenomenon
Is there a difference between learning and development?
Learning: The process of acquiring knowledge, skills, or behaviors through study, experience, or instruction. Gaining new information and abilities leading to changes in behavior or understanding
Development: The process of growth & maturation that occurs over time. The physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and moral changes that individuals undergo throughout their lifespan
What is Jean Piaget’s theory?
His theory of cognitive development emphasized the importance of active exploration and hands-on experiences in the learning process. He believed that children construct knowledge through interactions with their environment, and educators should tailor teaching methods to align with the child’s developmental stage
What are the stages in Jean Piaget’s schema theory?
- Active learning
- Adaptation
- Assimilation
- Accommodation
- Equilibrium
What are Piaget’s stages of cognitive development?
- Sensorimotor stage (birth to 2 years)
- Preoperational stage (2 to 7 yrs)
- Concrete operational stage (7 to 11 yrs)
- Formal operational stage (12 and above)
What happens at the sensorimotor stage?
- Infants learn about the world through their senses
- They develop object permanence
- Language used for demands and cataloguing
What happens at the preoperational stage?
- Symbolic thinking
- Conservation is being developed
- Imagination and intuition are strong but complex abstract thoughts are still difficult
What happens at the concrete operational stage?
Time, space and quantity are understood and can be applied but not as independent concepts
What happens at the formal operational stage?
- They develop the ability to think abstractly and hypothetically, they can consider possibilities and abstract concepts
- Strategy and planning become possible
- Concepts learned in one context can be applied in another
Who is Lev Vygotsky?
A psychologist who emphasized the importance of social interactions, cultural context, and language in a child’s cognitive development. He believed that children learn best within the social environment
What is Lev Vygotsky’s ZPD concept? (Zone of Proximal Development)
The concept emphasizes the importance of providing appropriate levels of support and guidance to learners
What are the levels in Lev Vygotsky’s ZPD?
Most outer circle: Tasks that learner cannot do even with assistance
Outer circle: Tasks that learner can do with assistance
Centre circle: Tasks that learner can do without assistance
What was John Bowlby’s belief?
The bonds children formed with their caregivers have a tremendous impact that continues throughout life. Attachment also keeps the infant close with its mother, increasing chances of survival
What are the four styles of attachment?
- Secure
- Anxious
- Avoidant
- Disorganised
What is the basic conflict for infancy in Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory?
Trust vs Mistrust
What is the basic conflict for early childhood in Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory?
Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt
What is the basic conflict for play age in Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory?
Initiative vs Guilt
