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Cognitive Learning Theory

sketch of the brain

What does 'cognitive' mean?

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Before understanding what Cognitive Learning Theory is, it is important to ensure you know and understand what 'cognitive' means. 

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According to the dictionary definition, Cognitive means: 

"of, relating to, being, or involving conscious intellectual activity (such as thinking, reasoning, or remembering)"

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So essentially it is referring to the brain and its functions, intellectually. 

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With that in mind, what do we mean when we say, Cognitive Learning Theory?

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  • This is an approach to learning that focuses on the way in which information is processed, remembered and acquired, and transformed into new knowledge. 

  • A well known theorist who is probably the most known for this type of learning is Jean Piaget. 

  • Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development proposes four main stages of intellectual development throughout childhood. These are as follows:

    • Sensorimotor Stage (birth - 2years)- children primarily learn about the world through their sesnes.​

    • Pre-operational Stage (2-7 years) - this is where language begins to emerge alongside imaginary (pretend) play.

    • Concrete Operational Stage (7-11 years) - the beginnings of logic and analysis, but still a very fixed understanding.

    • Formal Operational Stage (11+ years) - understanding is developed around abstract thinking, hypothetical ideas and deductive reasoning. 

  • This learning theory focuses on the internal mental processes, rather than external factors such as social interactions. 

  • Other terms associated with Cognitive Learning Theory and Piaget's work are 'Schema' ("a cohesive, repeatable action”) and the ways in which these are formed, through "assimilation", "accommodation", "disequilibrium" or "equilibrium". 

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