The document compares three approaches to learning: behavioral, cognitive, and humanistic. The behavioral approach focuses on conditioning and modifying behavior through rewards and punishments. The cognitive approach focuses on developing critical thinking skills and intelligence. The humanistic approach views learning as influenced by the whole child and their environment. Key psychologists who influenced each approach are identified, such as Thorndike, Pavlov, and Skinner for behavioralism; Piaget and Vygotsky for cognitivism; and Maslow and Rogers for humanism.

1. Behaviorist Cognitive Humanistic
Overall Approach Learning focuses on conditioning
and modifying behavior through
reward and punishment
Learning focuses on the child’s
development and intelligence as
well as critical thinking skills.
Learning focuses on the entire child
and the influence of his or her
environment
Historical Background Rooted in traditional philosophy:
Aristotle, Descartes, Locke and
Rousseau.
Psychologists ponder and argue
over the roles environment and
human characteristics play in
learning.
New field not recognized by
traditional psychologists; stresses
the importance of self-awareness
of learning
Curriculum Approach -Curriculum should involve testing,
monitoring, drilling, and feedback
-Proficiency/ Mastery should be
accomplished by step-by-step
activities, repetition, memorization,
reinforcement and review
-Subject matter should be logically
organized
-Traditional subject matter
(hierarchy of focus) is stressed
-Children should feel safe and
loved at school in order to reach
full potential
-Students should study what is
important to them
Important Psychologists 1. Thorndike (Law of Effect)-
students learn by forming
constructive habits
2. Pavlov-Watson (classical
Conditioning)- Stimulus and
Response relationship
3. Skinner (Operant
Conditioning)- negative and
positive reinforcements for
establishing behavior
4. Bandura (Observational
learning)- Observing and
modeling structures learning
5. Gagne (Hierarchal learning)- 8
characteristics that foster
learning like verbal association
and problem solving.
1. Montessori (structured play)-
visual and auditory activities
facilitate students’ learning at
their own pace
2. Piaget (Cognitive stages of
development)- Sequencing of
mental operations blends
information together
3. Vygotsky (Theory of language
and cultural transmission)-
human and cultural
development must be
strengthened for learning
4. Bruner-Phenix (structure of a
subject)- characteristics and
principles of a subject must be
applied to new information in
that field.
5. Gardner (8 multiple
intelligences)
6. Guilford (120 potential
cognitive processes)
7. Ennis-Lipman-Sternberg
(critical thinking)
1. Maslow (human needs)- the 6
human needs must be met
before learning can effectively
occur
2. Rogers (freedom to learn)-
children must be open to
learning, trusting, and
accepting themselves and
others to learn.