How do we learn ?

Ever wondered how do we learn ?

In psychology, what we call cognitive Learning theory implies that the different processes concerning learning can be explained by analyzing the mental processes first.

So to know about someone’s learning type we need to inverstigate his memory, attention, how new informations are stored… a better understanding of someone’s own cognitive processes leads to an effective learning on the other hand an ineffective cognitive processes result to learning difficulties.

How do we learn?

There are three major types of learning in cognitive psychology :

#1:Classical conditioning

Inspired by Pavlovien experiment in which a stimulus acquires the ability to provoke a response.

Teachers are able to apply classical conditioning in the class by creating a positive classroom environment to help students overcome anxiety or fear. Pairing an anxiety-provoking situation, such as performing in front of a group, with pleasant surroundings helps the student learn new associations. Instead of feeling anxious and tense in these situations, the child will learn to stay relaxed and calm.

#2:Operant Conditioning

It’s like classical conditioning but we introduce reinforcements ( trophies ) and punishments.

#3:Learning Through Observation

Through videos or real-life experiments it’s done in 4 steps:

• The observer will imitate the model’s behavior if the model possesses characteristics– things such as talent, intelligence…that the observer finds attractive or desirable.
• The observer will react to the way the model is treated and mimic the model’s behavior. When the model’s behavior is rewarded, the observer is more likely to reproduce the rewarded behavior. When the model is punished, an example of vicarious punishment, the observer is less likely to reproduce the same behavior.

Memory and learning :

There are many types of memories since we are focusing on learning i will introduce briefly the 3 major types that are involved in learning :

Sensory memory : allows environmental information to be retained, sometimes for as little as a fraction of a second.

Short-term memory: it is the very short time that you keep something in mind before either dismissing it or transferring it to long-term memory.

Long-term memory: it’s our brain’s system for storing, managing, and retrieving information.

Intelligence and learning:

There are many theories about intelligence we will focus on the theory of Sterberg according to the triarchic theory, intelligence has three aspects: analytical, creative, and practical.

Analytical intelligence(book smart): it is involved when the components of intelligence are applied to analyze, evaluate, judge, or compare and contrast. It typically is involved in dealing with relatively familiar kinds of problems where the judgments to be made are of a fairly abstract nature.

Creative intelligence: In work with creative intelligence problems, as to provide creative solutions to problems.

Practical intelligence(street smart): Practical intelligence involves individuals applying their abilities to the kinds of problems that confront them in daily life, such as on the job or in the home.

What happens where in the brain ?

Let’s focus now on the different parts of the brain and it’s functions !

Thanks for reading the article. I am Wafa Hawes, psychology expert and intern at @GoMyCode AI & R&D Department. If you are interested in psychology & Education, feel free to reach us on contact@gomycode.tn.