How We Learn
Learning is defined in a multitude of ways, often using opposing frames; outcome or process, self or group, measurable or intangible.
Behaviorists define learning as the strengthening of association between stimuli and behavioral response. Cognitivists on the other hand, define learning as processing information internally. And constructivists define learning based on an individual’s creative autonomy and lived experience.
Social learning theory has largely defined learning on the basis of behavior mirroring and social reinforcement.
However, to examine adult learning in community contexts, we need to consider a variety of additional social factors.
TOWARDS A NEW DEFINITION OF SOCIAL LEARNING:
To expand our understanding of social learning, we can use a simplified model of the biological stages involved in learning and the social factors of influence at each stage. This includes how we:
1. Attend: the way we pay attention to social stimuli .
2. Process: the way information is processed using social categories
3. Understand: how we understand other people
4. Decide to Act: how decisions are made to help others
5. Integrate Feedback: how we adjust based on feedback from others
To learn more about each stage of learning, click below:
