Learning Theories Comparison Essay

Compare and contrast any of the following learning theories:

a) expectancy theory

= proposes that an individual will behave or act in a certain way because they are motivated to select a specific behavior over others due to what they expect the result of that selected behavior will be.

= the core of the theory is the cognitive process of how an individual processes the different motivational elements. The outcome is not the sole determining factor in making the decision of how to behave.

b) social learning theory

= Individuals learn by observing models of behaviour, emulating behaviour, and receiving reinforcement and rewards

= Learning results from directly experiencing the consequences of using a skill, observing others and seeing the consequences of their behaviour.

c) reinforcement theory

= Individual are motivated to perform or avoid behaviour because past outcome of behaviour.

=Trainers need to identify what outcomes learners find most positive and negative and then link these outcomes to acquiring new knowledge and skills

What are the strenghts and weaknesses of each of the following design:

a) Post-test only

Strenghts: having additional comparison group which helps rule out alternative explainations for changes

Weaknessess: only can be use when trainees have similar level of knowledge, behaviour or result outcomes

b) Pretest/ post-test with comparison group

Strenghts: the study design can expand to include more than one treatment and it can allow for many comparisons such as comparison between groups or pre- to post-intervention in one group.