Cognitive Learning Theory

Cognitive Learning Theory

Cognitive learning theory can be defined as a learning theory that attempts to explain human behavior through the understanding of their thought process. Cognitive learning theory eludes that an individual's thoughts influence their behavior and response to certain situations. In Cognitive learning individuals learn by listening, watching, touching, reading, and others actions. Cognitive learning focuses on how each of these components are affected by morals and the surrounding environment. According to cognitive the theory, it is very important to change a person's thoughts and beliefs in order to change his or her behavior. Social learning theory is considered to be the direct link between behaviorist and social cognitive learning .Therefore; there are two important components of cognitive learning social cognitive and cognitive behaviorism.

Social Cognitive theory is a sub-set of cognitive theory that focuses on the influence of peers on a person's behavior. The saying, " you are who you hang around", is a great way to describe the social cognitive theory. It's is the human's nature to desire a since of belonging, this is especially relevant in a school setting. Typically, an average student will learn habits and characteristics of students that they can directly relate to, whether they share the same likes or dislikes or were raised in similar environments. Also, some students usually immolate individuals or groups of individuals they inspire to be like. In both situations these actions are reflective of the principles social cognitive theory. As stated by Albert Bandura, the farther of the social learning theory, "Learning would be exceedingly laborious, not to mention hazardous, if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own actions to inform them what to do. Fortunately, most human behavior is learned observationally through modeling: from observing others one forms an idea of how new behaviors are performed, and on later occasions this coded information serves as a guide for action"( Socail Learning Theory 1977).

Another example of how social cognitive theory at works is television commercials. Televisions commercial usually cater to a specific audience. T.V. commercial will advertise the newest and coolest items on the market and influences the viewer to purchases the item if they want to be as cool as their peers or the celebrity advertising the items. The same principle can be applied to a learning environment. If an individual is exposed to negative influences they will respond in a negative way and if they are exposed to positive influences they will respond in a positive way. Therefore, what an individual sees or hear in their environment has a great influence on their behavior.

Another key element to cognitive learning theory is cognitive behaviorism. Cognitive behavioral theory is a study that is descriptive about how the concept of cognition plays an important role in determining the behavioral pattern of a person. In relation to cognitive-behaviorism, our responses are based on a complex interaction between thoughts and behaviors. Precisely, it is the thought process which covers grasping the knowledge, remembering it, applying it, developing beliefs on it, reasoning it and retaining it.

According to the behavioral theory, learning involves alterations in modifications in behavior (Barrett, 2006). In contrast to social cognitive, some behaviorists believe that what one learns is influenced by the environment not by what