Wolfgang Kohler's insight learning theory, developed from his studies on chimpanzees, emphasizes that insight learning is a cognitive process where solutions are realized suddenly, rather than through trial and error. Kohler's experiments with a chimpanzee named Sultan demonstrated four stages of insight learning: leveraging past experiences, intelligence, initial trial and error, and the ability to generalize solutions to similar problems. The theory highlights the importance of internal visualization in problem-solving and suggests that factors like experience and intelligence influence insight.

1. MARY DELA CRUZ
Kohler’s Insight
Kohler’s Insight
Learning Theory
Learning Theory

2. Wolfgang Kohler
Wolfgang Kohler
Was a German psychologist and
phenomenologist, he is best known
for his empirical studies of
chimpanzee problem-solving.
(21 January 1887 – 11 June 1967)
In the 1920s, Wolfgang Kohler was
studying the behavior of apes. He
conducted some simple experiments
that resulted to the development of one
of the first cognitive theories of learning,
which he called insight learning.

3. Insight learning is the sudden realization of a problem's
solution. Insight learning is not the result of trial and
error, but responding to an environmental stimulus and
the result of observing someone else attempting the
problem. It is a completely cognitive experience that
requires the ability to visualize the problem and the
solution internally.
Insight Learning
Insight Learning

4. 1. Experiment- Sultan was placed in a cage. A stick was placed in the cage and a
banana just outside the cage, but outside Sultans direct reach. Sultan made many
attempts to obtain the banana but it failed. It sat down in despair. But, after
sometime it suddenly got up, lifted the stick and used it to draw the banana towards
itself.
2. Experiment- In the second stage, Kohler placed inside the cage two sticks which
could be joined to each other. This time the banana was so placed that it could not be
drown by the chimpanzee towards itself with a single stick. After numerous attempts,
Sultan joined the two sticks together and succeeded in obtaining the banana.
Kohler conducted a number of experiments on a chimpanzee
named Sultan.

5. 3. Experiment- In the third step, Kohler hung the banana from the roof of the
cage of such a height as to ensure that Sultan could not reach it even by
jumping upwards. A box was also placed inside the cage. After many attempts,
Sultan climbed up on the box and obtained the bananas.
4. Experiment- In the final step, Kohler placed two boxes at one place in the
cage the banana was placed at an even high level. At first, Sultan kept on
trying to reach the banana by standing up on one box, but after numerous
failures, it placed one box upon the other and claiming quit obtained the
banana.

7. B. Four Stages of Insight Learning
B. Four Stages of Insight Learning

8. 1. Experience - Past experiences help in the insightful solution of the problems. A child
cannot solve the problems of Modern Mathematics unless he is well acquainted with
its symbolic language.
2. Intelligence – Insightful solution depends upon the basic intelligence of the learner.
The more intelligent the individual is the greater will be his insight.
3. Initial Efforts or Trial and Error – Insightful learning has to pass through the
process of trial and error. Whatever an activity may be, attempts or efforts or trials
always lie at its root. This opens the way for insightful learning.
4. Repetition and Generalization – After having an insightful solution of a particular
type of problem, the organism tries to repeat it in another situation, demanding
similar type of solution. The way found in one situation helps him to react insightfully
in the other identical situations.
Factors Influencing Insight
Factors Influencing Insight

9. References:
References:
Hoque, E. (2022, July 16). Kohler Learning By Insight Theory-Gestalt Theory
Of Learning. EduCere Centre. https://educerecentre.com/kohler-insight-
learning-theory/
Kumari, K. THEORY OF LEARNING BY INSIGHT.
https://www.ssinhacollege.co.in/images/econtent/vocational%20courses/
BED/B.%20Ed.%20(1st%20Year)_Paper-III_(Topic-
%20Insight%20Theory).pdf
Kerwin, G. (2014). Chimpanzee Insight (Kohler Study Footage).
https://youtu.be/6-YWrPzsmEE?si=ltC2GnkjP9aURV-N