Friday, 5 October 2012

The Importance of Cognitive Learning Theory in Acquiring Knowledge and Making Decision Using Previous Experience and Knowledge

Cognitive learning theorists argue that experiences and knowledge enhance transfer of learning and decision making. This is in line with the schema theory whereby information is grouped in patterns of similarity when it is being stored in the long term memory.

According to cognitive theory of learning, past experiences and knowledge provides the learner or the decision maker with basic information on the new topic. This gives them an upper edge while dealing with the new topic. For instance, a tourist who has knowledge about his/her destination will be able to prepare adequately on what is required during his/her stay in the destination. This includes taking anti-malarial drugs when going to malaria prone areas.for Custom Essay click here

Using past experiences gives more ability and information to the brain hence, refining it and placing it in a better state to solve problems. After all, learning is a continuous step by step process: what is learnt today forms a foundation for tomorrow’s knowledge.

Areas of Application of Cognitive Theory of Learning

Sports
Most sports activity utilizes cognitive learning theory in learning different games. Practice is a continuous mental process. For instance, swimming applies learning through insight theory whereby the learner learns through discovery. The tutor gives the basics on how to float but it is the learner who does the practical aspect, enabling him/her to discover how best to swim. In addition, swimming uses past knowledge for new learning; different swimming styles builds upon the basic principle of floating.

Marketing
Marketing commonly uses social cognitive learning theory aspect of modeling to reach a targeted group. For example, if a certain product is for teenagers and young adults, marketers always use celebrities to pass the message across. This is because populace identifies with that particular celebrity.

Public Health
For a person to perform something accurately, they must be trained. According to cognitive learning theorist, imitation has been used in training of health practitioners. In the field, health workers apply cognitive theory of learning in solving spread of diseases. For instance, social behavior such as wife inheritance can lead to spread of AIDS. When the officer knows the behavior of the society he/she is working with, he/she is in a better position to offer help. Order you custom essay. click here

Cognitive Theory of Learning


The cognitive theory lays emphasis on the human conscious mind being the major element in the learning process. It explains the careful structuring of the mind that enables it collect, organize and relate new experiences and knowledge to the already existing ones in the brain. For your Custom Essay click here
Various aspects of cognitive theories of learning exist. They have proved to be of uttermost help to educators who wants learning to be from rote to meaningful learning so as to have new knowledge coming up.
Mnemonics
This cognitive theory of learning emphasize on acronyms as a quick storage and retrieval of information. For instance, in learning Biology, the characteristics of living things can be coined into MRS GREN.  It helps in the quick recall of movement, reproduction, sensitivity, growth, respiration, excretion and nutrition. This could have been a hard task if the information was to be retrieved independently.
Dual Coding Cognitive learning theory is enhanced when verbal presentation is complemented by visual images (2V’s). For example, when introducing a topic on domestic animals to a child, visual aids come in handy. It helps the child in recognizing form and shape hence, differentiating the animals. A child who learnt with the 2V’S can differentiate a goat from a dog than a child who learnt verbally.
Schema Theory
This cognitive theory of learning states that information learnt is grouped into patterns of likeness in the brain’s long term memory. This is very useful in learning as it helps educators try to link the just to be acquired knowledge with the already existing knowledge for harmonization. For instance, a new accounts learner needs to relate the addition in Mathematics to those in accounts for effective learning to occur. This helps the learner relate information and therefore be able to come up with the whole learning process.
Meaningful Learning
It is a cognitive learning theory that further enhances learning as it enables the learner link the new knowledge with familiar information. For example, learning about a river could entail a visit to a river which learners may have not yet seen or could have seen it but never given it much thought. This provokes the learner to discover more about the given entity taking learning to a higher level.
 Law of Continuity
A cognitive learning theory that helps in making learning a continuous process on which new knowledge is built on previously gained knowledge. For instance, in Mathematics, a topic on factors can be followed by prime factors, then prime factorization and later great common factor, this makes learning smooth and continuous.

Wednesday, 5 September 2012

Prudence Theory of Learning and Choice

This is a new unpublished theory in psychology. Its application includes in economics, management and other disciplines. For original academic papers and custom essay, click here.

Prudence theory of learning and choice will explain individual differences when it comes to decision making. The foundation of this psychological theory is the concepts of opportunity cost and choice. Communities and individuals who have access to equal opportunities have achieved varied milestone in life due to the choices they have made. According to the proposition of the prudence theory of learning and choice, varied results emanates from the ability of individuals to undertake careful thought to evaluate the alternative options. This involves memory of past experiences, ability to learn from and awareness of prevailing conditions. In addition, cognitive capacity to process information and reach at the most appropriate choice is paramount.

Another hypothesis for the study is that individuals are able to learn from experience, apply them in the present and use acquired knowledge to project future events and or results. Ormrod (2012) argues that paring of stimulus and subsequent response (s) aids in gaining knowledge of how choices influence the final result both in the present and the future. Individuals acquire knowledge of choosing the best option from experience, thus, the prudence theory of learning and choice. The development of the prudence theory of learning and choice borrows a lot from cognitive theories of learning, which states that, the memory system of an individual continually process information and experiences and knowledge is significant in learning and acquiring knowledge (DeJong, 2010; Ormrod).

We hold the premise that individuals will always choose the best option when presented with many choices. However, this does not happen due to individual differences, and ability to make an informed decision. According to Adam Smith’s theory of moral sentiments 1759 (Doomen, 2005), men are not able to form absolute moral judgments that are not centered on self-interest. This he said in his book The Wealth of Nations (1776) is eating on the overall social benefit (Doomen, 2005).