My favourite learning theories are social learning theory and clientele-centred theory because they elucidate the links among cognitive processes, behaviours, and environment. Social learning theory holds that learning is a cognitive process that is subject to behavioural and environmental factors, which individuals observe, imitate, and internalize in their minds. Comparatively, clientele-centred theory holds that experiences of individuals have significant influence on the cognitive processes as they trigger self-discovery and change feelings, attitudes, and behaviours.
Social learning theory is my favourite learning theory because it encapsulates the impact of behaviours and environment on the cognitive processes of an individual. Since the learning process varies from one person to another, the interaction of the social processes in terms of behavioural and environmental influences determines learning process. Kruse (2009) argues that social interaction constructs knowledge in that students cannot acquire essential knowledge if they do not interact effectively with their parents, friends, peers, and teachers in social context.
Thus, in my opinion, social learning theory effectively explains the variation in learning processes that happen in various places, which vary in terms of behavioural and environmental influences. As a potential teacher, I perceive that optimisation of social forces in a given environment plays a central role in shaping learning processes of students.
Clientele-centred theory is also my favourite theory because it highlights the importance of personal experiences in shaping current attitudes, feelings, and behaviours as part of the cognitive processes that lead to self-discovery. Rogers (1959) asserts that psychological adaptiveness and expressiveness of an individual is dependent on openness to experience, which is a driving force of self-discovery.
Normally, therapists utilise personal experiences in shaping their current cognitive processes and enable people to overcome bad habits and pressing issues. Therefore, according to my opinion as a potential teacher, personal experience is a teaching asset, which teachers can utilise in enabling students to discover themselves.
References
Kruse, J. (2009). Learning theories: Pillars of teacher decision-making. Iowa Science Teachers Journal, 36(2), 1-7.
Rogers, C. (1959). A theory of therapy, personality, and interpersonal relationships, as developed in the client-centred framework. Psychology, 1(3), 184-256.