An Introduction to THEORIES of LEARNING CHAPTER An Introduction to Theories of Learning, Ninth Edition Matthew H. Olson | B. R. Hergenhahn Copyright © 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Approaches to the Study of Learning 2 Ninth Edition

An Introduction to Theories of Learning, Ninth Edition Matthew H. Olson | B. R. Hergenhahn Copyright © 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Systematic Study of Learning Science combines Empiricism with Rationalism  Empiricism Information through the senses (including measurement and instrumentation)  Rationalism Logical thinking and reasoning (including statistical inference)

An Introduction to Theories of Learning, Ninth Edition Matthew H. Olson | B. R. Hergenhahn Copyright © 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Scientific Theory Formal Aspect and Empirical Aspect  Formal Aspect The words and symbols the theory contains.  Empirical Aspect The physical events the theory is attempting to explain.

An Introduction to Theories of Learning, Ninth Edition Matthew H. Olson | B. R. Hergenhahn Copyright © 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Theories are not Mere Hunches Theories must be tested. Theories are either supported or refuted. Theories that are not supported are abandoned or revised.

An Introduction to Theories of Learning, Ninth Edition Matthew H. Olson | B. R. Hergenhahn Copyright © 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Functions of Theories Synthesizing Function and Heuristic Function  Synthesizing Function A theory must explain a number of observations.  Heuristic Function A theory must generate further research.

An Introduction to Theories of Learning, Ninth Edition Matthew H. Olson | B. R. Hergenhahn Copyright © 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Theoretical Concepts and the Empirical Events from which They Stem

An Introduction to Theories of Learning, Ninth Edition Matthew H. Olson | B. R. Hergenhahn Copyright © 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Theories as Tools We do not “prove” theories. They are either useful or not. Theories must continually generate the very hypotheses that may demonstrate that they are ineffective or incorrect.

An Introduction to Theories of Learning, Ninth Edition Matthew H. Olson | B. R. Hergenhahn Copyright © 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved The Learning Experiment Operational Definitions of Learning  Defining learning by how it is measured. Examples:  Trials to criterion  Speed of performance  Percent Correct  Number of errors

An Introduction to Theories of Learning, Ninth Edition Matthew H. Olson | B. R. Hergenhahn Copyright © 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Dependent Variables The focus of our measurement procedure. The choices are extensive:  Percent correct  Performance speed  Trials to criterion  Response Amplitude  Time to relearn after a delay… and so on

An Introduction to Theories of Learning, Ninth Edition Matthew H. Olson | B. R. Hergenhahn Copyright © 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Independent Variables Conditions manipulated or controlled by the experimenter that may explain changes in the dependent variable. There are many choices:  hours without food  hours of study time  stress conditions during study  task complexity … and so on

An Introduction to Theories of Learning, Ninth Edition Matthew H. Olson | B. R. Hergenhahn Copyright © 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Setting Up an Experiment Many choices are guided by previous research. Many choices are arbitrary  Which dependent variable(s)?  Which independent variable(s)?  Levels of the independent variable(s)?

An Introduction to Theories of Learning, Ninth Edition Matthew H. Olson | B. R. Hergenhahn Copyright © 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Setting Up an Experiment Idiographic research  Intensive study of single participants (Skinner’s method) Nomothetic research  Focus on group averages (most other researchers’ method)

An Introduction to Theories of Learning, Ninth Edition Matthew H. Olson | B. R. Hergenhahn Copyright © 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Thomas Kuhn (1922—1996) Coined the term “paradigm.” Meant for the term to be used sparingly, for example in physics. Now widely used to refer to a broad school of thought in a discipline.

An Introduction to Theories of Learning, Ninth Edition Matthew H. Olson | B. R. Hergenhahn Copyright © 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Kuhn and Paradigms Paradigms define the kinds of research questions one can ask. Paradigms restrict the ways we can interpret research. They are lenses through which we view the world.

An Introduction to Theories of Learning, Ninth Edition Matthew H. Olson | B. R. Hergenhahn Copyright © 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Kuhn and Scientific Revolution Eventually, research findings accumulate that are not explained in an existing paradigm. If a new view—a new paradigm– explains those findings along with the previous body of data, the new view overthrows the existing paradigm, as when Einstein’s view replaced Newton’s.

An Introduction to Theories of Learning, Ninth Edition Matthew H. Olson | B. R. Hergenhahn Copyright © 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Karl Popper (1902—1994) Stated that science always begins with a problem and attempts to solve it. A scientific theory is a proposed solution to a problem.

An Introduction to Theories of Learning, Ninth Edition Matthew H. Olson | B. R. Hergenhahn Copyright © 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Karl Popper and Scientific Theory What makes a theory scientific? It risks being falsified or refuted. A scientific theory makes RISKY predictions.  The principle of falsification or  The principle of refutability

An Introduction to Theories of Learning, Ninth Edition Matthew H. Olson | B. R. Hergenhahn Copyright © 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Karl Popper and Bad Theory A theory that explains everything and cannot be challenged is NOT a scientific theory. Examples:  Astrology  Numerology  and numerous psychological theories.  Can you name one?