This document summarizes several learning theories and their key theorists that impact adult education, including behaviorism and cognitive learning theory. Behaviorism focuses on observable and measurable behaviors and uses reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors. Key behaviorist theorists discussed are Ivan Pavlov, John Watson, and B.F. Skinner. Cognitive learning theory takes into account mental processes and an individual's thoughts. Key cognitive theorists mentioned are Jean Piaget and Howard Gardner. Different classroom settings like traditional, online, hybrid, and self-directed are also compared in terms how these learning theories can be applied.

1. Learning Theories That Impact Adult Education and Training
Gaylene McMurray
AET/500
Emily Christiansen

2. Behaviorism Learning Theory
• Behavior that is observed by another person and can be measured.
• There are consequences for a desired behavior.
• The desired behavior can come from either positive or negative reinforcement
“Behaviorism is so embedded in our daily lives and our practice as educators that
we may not even acknowledge its presence.” ” (Merriam & Bierema, 2014).

3. Behaviorism

4. History of Behaviorist Theory
• Ivan Pavlov 1849-1936
• John B. Watson 1889-1958
• B. F. Skinner 1904-1990

5. Key Behaviorist Theorists
Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936)
• Russian Physiologist
• Classical Conditioning
• He designed tests using positive or
negative reinforcement.
• He taught dogs to get excited for food
when the dog would hear a bell ring
Barnett, V. (2006).
John B. Watson (1878-1958)
• Observed behavior is young children
• Trained a young child to be afraid of a
rat.
• Outcome was he realized you can
change a person’s habits.
Todd, J. T. (2004).

6. More Theorists
B. F. Skinner (1904-1990)
• Operant theory of conditioning
• Uses consequences to get the
desired behavior.
• Controlled environment
He invented the Skinner Box for testing
• This box was like a glass play pen
for his child.
• The temperature was set
• This was so he could observe his
child.

7. Cognitive Learning Theory
• Cognitive learning combines behavior and the though process.
• The mind is taken into consideration with how a person behaves in a situation.
• Humans do not think the same as animals.
• Individuals should be a part of their learning and have some control
• Past experiences can hinder the learning process
• Human characteristics of emotion and culture should be considered in learning.
(Ponticell, 2006)

8. Key Cognitive Theorists
Jean Piaget (1896 – 1980)
• He studied his own children’s
behavior
• Piagets Model
• Infancy stage
• Early Childhood stage
• Middle Childhood stage
• Formal Operational Stage.
• Need to find this in text book
Merriam, S. B., & Bierema, L. L. (2014).
Howard Gardner
• Multiple Intelligences
• Logical
• Linguistic
• Spatial
• Kinesthetic
• Musical
• Interpersonal
• Intrapersonal
• Naturalist
Gardner, H. (1993)

9. History of Cognitive Learning Theory
• The Cognitive Learning Theory included the mental portion of a
person’s learning process.
• Took the input of what was being learned.
• Took prior experiences into consideration for the desired outcome.
• Obtained the desired results.

10. Behavioral Theory and Cognitive Theory in the Following Classroom Settings:
Traditional Classroom
• Behavior can be
modified with
discipline.
• Study skills for
training.
• Positive
reinforcement in
learning.
Online Classroom
• Give student feedback right away on
assignments.
• Answer questions as soon as possible.
(like within 24 hours).
• Be sure to let students know what the
consequences are

11. Classroom Settings Continued
Hybrid Classrooms
• Guidance and expectations are
communicated.
• Resources are available for those
students who want to continue
learning on their own.
Self Directed Learning Classroom
• Would have to be self
disciplined.
• Set own goals and timelines.

12. Impact of the selected mode of delivery
traditional classroom, online, hybrid asynchronous self-directed
Classroom Options are:
• Traditional Classroom
• Online
• Hybrid Asynchronous
• Self-Directed
Online Teaching Classroom
• I prefer online teaching and learning
compared to that of the traditional
classroom setting.
• Various ways to communicate with
students.
• Create a positive experience for
students
• Obtain feedback about teaching skills,
class material, or websites for software
to use.

13. References
• Barnett, V. (2006). Pavlov, Ivan, In J. Merriman & J. Winter (Eds.), Europe 1789 – 1914: Encyclopedia of the Age of Industry and Empire
(Vol. 4, pp. 1748-1749). Detroit: Charles Scribner’s Sons. Retrieved from
http://go.galegroup.com.contentproxy.phoenix.edu/ps/i.do?p=GVRL&sw-w&u-
upoeix_uopx&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CCX3446900634&sid=summon&asid=cdcf53e3c195db612b530677093c95e
• Gardner, H. (1993). Multiple Intelligences. The theory in practice. New York: Basic Books
• Gredler, M. (2010). Skinner, b. f. (1904–1990). In T. C. HuntJ. C. Carper & T. J. Lasley (Eds.), Encyclopedia of educational reform and
dissent (pp. 832-833). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications Ltd. doi: 10.4135/9781412957403.n406
• Merriam, S. B., & Bierema, L. L. (2014). Adult Learning: Linking Theory and Practice (12th ed.). Retrieved from
https://phoenix.vitalsource.com/books/9781119031260/id/ch6.
• Phillips, D. (2014). Behaviorism. In D. Phillips (Ed.), Encyclopedia of educational theory and philosophy (Vol. 2, pp. 80-83). Thousand
Oaks,, CA: SAGE Publications Ltd. doi: 10.4135/9781483346229.n39
• Ponticell, J. (2006). Learning, theories of. In F. W. English (Ed.), Encyclopedia of educational leadership and administration (Vol. 2, pp. 605-
607). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications Ltd. doi: 10.4135/9781412939584.n338
• Todd, J. T. (2004). Watson, John B. *1878-1958). In P. S. Fass (Ed), Encyclopedia of Children and Childhood: In History and Society (Vol. 3,
pp. 881-882). New York: Macmillian Reference USA. Retrieved from
http://go.galegroup.com.contentproxy.phoenix,edu/ps/i.do?p=GVRL&sw=w&u-uphoenix_uopx&v=2.1&it-
r&id=GALE%7CCS3402800436&sid=summon&asid-cd53868649e0fc9b1d6a69afd8025833
• Schunk, D. (2014). Learning, theories of. In D. Phillips (Ed.), Encyclopedia of educational theory and philosophy (Vol. 2, pp. 467-470).
Thousand Oaks,, CA: SAGE Publications Ltd. doi: 10.4135/9781483346229.n197
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk%3AClassical_conditioning