Explain the behavior and cognitive approaches to learning. Which is most relevant to training?

Despite the major difference between the two theories—the fact that behaviorists do not take into account the mental processes that underlie cognitive learning theory—cognitivists and behaviorists share similar beliefs. Both believe learning theories should be objective and based upon the results of empirical research. Both observe the responses individuals make to different stimulus conditions. Both theories believe in feedback. Both discuss the impact environment has upon the learner. Finally, both believe experience impacts learning. There are, of course differences within the specifics of each theory. As do modern day cognitivists, behaviorists held the belief that learning theory should be objectively based upon the results of empirical evidence. However, behaviorists could not study the internal cognitive processes that produce the responses they recorded because the technology was non-existent. “Behaviorists chose not to incorporate mental events into their learning theories, arguing that such events were impossible to observe and measure and so could not be studied objectively”.

Cognitivists agree that reward helps influence learning and behavior. They simply disagree as to the source of that reward. Brain-based studies have proven that the brain has an intrinsic reward system called endorphins. Cognitivists look more at how individuals process the stimuli they encounter. Like behaviorists, cognitivists also believe the environment has an impact upon the learner.

A final commonality of the two learning theories is the belief that prior experience has an impact upon learning. Skinner held that “each step in the learning process should be short and should arise from previously learned behavior” (as cited by Semple, 2000, para.10). Constructivist theory is founded on the premise that, by reflecting on our experiences, we construct our own understanding of the world. However, unlike behaviorism, constructivists believe learning is not the result of external stimulus response, but rather the process of adjusting our internal mental models to accommodate new experiences. In short, behaviorism and cognitivism are not such vastly different theories as one might first believe. There is room for application of many theories in the classroom if implemented by a competent, highly trained educator familiar with both the fitness of various techniques for individual students and the application of educational research.