COGNITIVE LEARNING: CHARACTERISTICS, PROCESS AND EXAMPLES - PSYCHOLOGY - 2024

The cognitive learning is a term that combines the concept of traditional learning with new discoveries made in recent decades are on the functioning of the human brain. It is, therefore, a type of learning that takes into account the way in which our mind works to improve our results.

Cognitive learning theory arises from the discovery that each time we receive new information, it is processed and filtered by our brain before we can memorize it. Because of this, if we know how that processing works, we can learn more efficiently.

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Various investigations on this subject have shown that there is no single way to acquire new information. On the contrary, there are normally thirteen different types of cognitive learning, being able to use one or the other depending on the situation in which we find ourselves and the nature of what we want to learn.

Cognitive learning theory is used in fields as diverse as psychology, communication, and education. In addition, it has affected other theories, the most important of which are cognitive behavioral theory and social cognition theory. In this article we will see exactly what it consists of.

characteristics

The basic idea of ​​cognitive learning theory is that the way we memorize new information is highly influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Because of this, it tries to understand which are the elements that most influence our learning, in order to get the most out of them.

The goal of cognitive learning is therefore to be able to improve the way in which information is presented to a person in different contexts. The most obvious is the educational system, but this theory also has useful applications in other fields such as psychology or communication.

At a practical level, cognitive learning theory has given rise to two interrelated but distinct paradigms: the theory of social cognition, and the cognitive-behavioral theory. Next we will see what each one of them consists of.

Theory of social cognition

The theory of social cognition states that there are basically three variables that influence learning processes: behavioral factors, environmental factors (extrinsic) and personal factors (intrinsic). The relationship between these three elements is what causes learning to occur.

In the interaction between the person and his environment, elements such as beliefs, ideas and mental capacities are modified by the presence of external factors, which can range from a stressful environment or a friendly teacher to the temperature that is in the learning environment.

On the other hand, the relationship between the internal factors of the person and their behavior is two-way. Behavior is capable of influencing the beliefs and ideas of the individual, but thoughts can also change the way they act.

In addition to this, the environment also modifies the way a person behaves to some extent. This occurs mainly by moderating the behaviors that were already going to occur depending on the social context in which the person is.

Thus, the theory of social cognition states that for proper learning to occur, it is necessary that a person with the correct characteristics and positive behavior be in an environment that encourages the acquisition of new information.

Basic concepts

In addition to this general idea that we have already described, the theory of social cognition also includes other concepts that are very useful when it comes to understanding how learning works. For example, it states that each new information we receive is examined in relation to other similar experiences we have had in the past.

On the other hand, this theory also states that it is possible to acquire new behaviors and ideas simply by observing other individuals who already exhibit them, which is known as "observational learning."

In addition to this, the learning processes derived from the theory of social cognition are focused on improving the emotional capacities of the subjects, in order to achieve that new information is acquired in the best possible way even when the environment in which the learning is not the most appropriate.

Cognitive behavioral theory

Cognitive behavioral theory is one of the most important in the world of clinical psychology. It focuses on studying the relationships between a person's behavior, their emotions and their beliefs. These three factors influence each other reciprocally, and are critical to understanding the human experience.

Cognitive behavioral theory is commonly used in the world of psychological therapy. This approach focuses on changing a person's thoughts and beliefs, as well as their behaviors, so that they improve their mood and the way they relate to the world.

At the learning level, cognitive behavioral theory says that there are three elements that especially influence the information we can memorize: how we see ourselves, the way we perceive the world around us, and the way we think it is. will develop the future.

Process

Cognitive learning theory states that we do not just acquire new knowledge: every time we internalize new information, we generate a change in the knowledge that we had previously stored. Therefore, the process described by this theory is quite different from other similar ones.

On the one hand, this psychological theory claims that we can never start learning from scratch. On the contrary, a person always has some knowledge on any subject, be it preconceptions, deductions or ideas that he had acquired in a previous learning.

Due to this, in any new learning that occurs, the new information has to interact with that which was already present in the person's brain. This implies that the new knowledge cannot be stored as it has been presented, but is moderated by the filters of the individual's mind.

Cognitive learning theory speaks of four steps to acquiring new knowledge. Next we will see exactly what each of them consists of.

Existence of prior knowledge

As we've already seen, people always have preconceptions about whatever topic we're trying to learn from. These ideas may arise from personal experience, from a deduction, or from knowledge that had been formally acquired on the subject before.

People are not always aware of the beliefs we have about what we are going to learn. For this reason, many times we do not realize that we are not storing the new knowledge objectively, but rather nuanced by our previous experiences on the subject at hand.

Presentation of the new knowledge

The second part of learning according to this theory is exposure to the knowledge to be acquired. This has to come from an external source, be it from a book, a web page, a teacher's presentation, or another similar source.

At this point, the environment, the emotional state and the capacities of the person influence the way in which he will perceive the new knowledge that is presented to him. The theory of cognitive learning studies which are the most optimal states of each of these points when giving new information to an individual.

Change in knowledge

The third step of learning is the processing of the new information presented in the previous point, and the replacement of previous ideas with new ones. This change is the most complex part of the entire process, therefore it is the one that has been studied the most from this theoretical approach.

Learning outcome

Finally, the person, after comparing the new information with the one they already possessed and processing it through their filters, integrates it into their mind. As we have already seen, the knowledge that arises as a result of this process is different from both previous information and that which has been presented to the individual.

Types

Cognitive learning theory describes thirteen different ways in which we can acquire new knowledge. In this section we will see a brief description of each of them.

Implicit learning

The first type of learning occurs when the person is not aware that he is acquiring new knowledge. Therefore, it is something unintentional. Normally, skills related to movement are acquired; some examples would be speech or the ability to walk.

Explicit learning

It is the opposite of the previous one. This learning is characterized because the person consciously decides to acquire new knowledge. Usually, it requires the individual to maintain their attention in a sustained way, and to make an effort to internalize the new information.

Cooperative learning

It is the kind of learning that is achieved in collaboration with other people. It is based on interdependence, individual responsibility, simultaneous interactions, and equitable participation. When it occurs, each participant in the group contributes their strengths and helps fill the gaps of the rest.

Significant learning

This type of learning occurs when the new knowledge is relevant on an emotional and motivational level for the person. The individual is able to connect her previous experiences with the information that she is going to acquire, in such a way that the learning is much more profound and lasting.

Associative learning

This way of acquiring knowledge is based on establishing a relationship between two stimuli, or a stimulus and a behavior. It was first discovered by Ivan Pavlov in his famous salivation experiment in dogs, in which he made an animal anticipate its meal just by hearing a bell.

Associative learning is one of the most important foundations of behaviorism, the predominant current in psychology for much of the 20th century.

Habituation and awareness

These two processes belong to what is known as non-associative learning. Together, they explain the way in which we react to a stimulus that we encounter continuously. When we face the same situation over and over again, two things can happen: either we get used to it, or we become sensitized.

Habituation implies that the same stimulus will have a less and less effect on us the more we expose ourselves to it. With awareness raising, the opposite occurs: the more we face the same situation, the more it will affect us.

Learning by discovery

Discovery learning occurs when a person actively seeks to acquire new knowledge. Because of this, there needs to be a certain degree of curiosity for an individual to carry out this process.

Learning by imitation

Also called vicarious learning, this process occurs when a person is able to acquire new knowledge or skills simply by observing and imitating another individual. It generally has to do with motor processes, although it can also occur when acquiring cognitive skills.

Emotional learning

Emotional learning involves better identifying and understanding your own feelings. At the same time, it is also related to the ability to handle, control and manage them even when they are very intense.

Experiential learning

One of the best ways to acquire new knowledge is to take action. Many researches suggest that direct experience is much more effective than simple memorization when it comes to integrating new learning.

Memorization

This type of cognitive learning is based on trying to include information in memory literally. Because of this, no comprehension of any kind is necessary, but simple data storage. It is one of the most difficult and ineffective learning.

Responsive learning

It is a completely passive type of learning. In it, the person is only exposed to the information they want to internalize, without having to perform any action. It occurs, for example, in a master class at the University, where a teacher exposes the subject and the students listen.

Like memorization, receptive learning is very ineffective in acquiring new knowledge.

Metacognitive strategies

The last type of learning is that which involves acquiring new knowledge about the way our own mind works. It consists of understanding our strengths and weaknesses, in order to develop a strategy that allows us to get the most out of it.

Examples

Cognitive learning theory has been highly influential in many different areas; but without a doubt, the field that has made the most of it is education.

In many schools around the world, new learning data has been applied to improve the way children acquire knowledge.

Thus, in so-called "experiential schools", children learn by doing tasks and associating new knowledge with what they already knew rather than by passively listening to a teacher and memorizing information.

In this way, the results that are achieved are much better and the process is much more pleasant for children.

References

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4. "What is cognitive learning?" in: Ed Tech Review. Retrieved on: April 09, 2019 from Ed Tech Review: edtechreview.in.
5. "What is cognitive learning?" in: The Tech Advocate. Retrieved on: April 09, 2019 from The Tech Advocate: thetechadvocate.org.