Question

How do the learning theories explain development?

Answer 1

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. You may elaborate the answer based on personal views or your classwork if necessary.

(Answer) Learning theories are those psychological concepts that entail the absorption, processing and retention of information. In other words, it studies how information is learnt and then remembered for proper application. For instance, one will observe that salt is white and tastes that it is salty. One may ponder on the texture, colour and taste. After this, the next time one may have a pinch of salt between their fingers, one may expect a salty taste even before tasting it.

These theories generally involve showing the development of thought through leaning. The three stages are behaviourism or learning by observing or absorbing behaviour through the senses. Pondering that behaviour through cognition and the construction of one’s own behaviour based on cognition.

One such learning theory that outlines human development is Piaget’s theory. This theory tracks all stages of learning and explains its development and maintenance.

Jean Piaget’s Stages of Development: Piaget’s stages of cognitive development –

Sensorimotor (0-2 years) Infant develops learning based on what is absorbed through the senses.

Preoperational (2-6 years) Child uses images to understand objects but does not understand them logically.

Concrete operational (7-12) Child can think logically about concrete objects. They can add, subtract and observe.

Formal operational (12 and up) The child understands abstract terms and is able to hypothesize.