Classical Theories and Models in Psychology
that Explain Learning and Development
1. Behaviorism

B. F. Skinner
2. Social Learning Theory

Albert Bandura
3. Information Processing

Computer sciences
4. Cognitive Development

Jean Piaget
5. Moral Development

Lawrence Kohlberg
6. Socio-cultural Theory

Lev Vygotsky
7. Bio-ecological Model

Bonfrenbrener
Theories of
Learning and
Development
Famous psychologists
Behaviorism
B. F. Skinner
Behaviorism

 Operant conditioning is used to control and shape
behavior
 Basic elements: Stimulus – Response – Consequence
 Classroom Implication
 Direct instruction
 Knowledge is transmitted in a unidirectional pattern:
from teacher to student and is confirmed through
reinforcement
 Examples?
Social (Cognitive)
Learning Theory
Albert Bandura
Social Learning Theory

 People learn (emulate behavior) through observation
 Vicarious experience can induced modeled behavior
 Basic elements – attention, retention, reproduction,
reinforcement and motivation.
 Classroom implications
 Examples
Information
Processing
A group of cognitive
psychologists!!
Information Processing

 Humans process the information they receive, rather
than merely responding to stimuli
 Mind = Computer
 Basic elements – attention, sensory register, working
memory, long-term memory, encoding and retrieval
 Working-memory capacity
 Long-term memory capacity
 Patterns and recognition
 Classroom implications
Cognitive
Development
Theory
Jean Piaget
Cognitive Development

 Learning takes place through the natural
development of cognitive structures
 Basic elements – Schema, assimilation,
accommodation, equilibrium, disequilibrium
 Four stages (in Grades 1-5 there are two stages)
1. Pre-operational Stage
 Egocentrism, animism,
2. Concrete operational stage
 Conservation, transitivity, hierarchical classification,
class inclusion
Moral Development
Lawrence Kohlberg
Moral Development

 Moral reasoning develops in stages, just like cognition
 Three stages
1. Preconventional moral reasoning
 Focus on self interest
2. Conventional moral reasoning
 Focus on family and community
3. Post conventional morel reasoning
 The nation, the world, what is good for EVERYONE
 Thinking about history revolves around moral
reasoning and moral justification
Sociocultural
(historical) Theory
Lev Vygotsky
Sociocultural Theory

 Learning takes place through the active interaction
with more capable others
 Language is a fundamental tool for learning and
cognition
 Socializing intelligence!
 Zone of Proximal Development




What a child can do independently
What a child can achieve with other’s gradual help
Scaffolding
How do you group students for best learning?
Bio-Ecological
Model
Uri Bonfrenbrener

Bio-Ecological Model

 Systems within systems
 The individual human being (biological core)
 Microsystem – direct interaction with child
 Misosystem – interactions between and within
systems
 Exosystem – intermediate interaction with child
 Macrosystem – Values, regulations, and beliefs
 Chronosytem – Change over time