Theories Of Human Learning And Cognition

Write 4–5-page examination of two or three approaches to a learning- and memory-related research question.

Psychologists need to understand three conceptual approaches to memory and learning: neurological, behavioral, and cognitive.

Suggested Resources

The following optional resources are provided to support you in completing the assessment or to provide a helpful context. For additional resources, refer to the Research Resources and Supplemental Resources in the left navigation menu of your courseroom.

Capella Resources

Click the links provided to view the following resources:

  • APA Paper Template.
  • APA Style and Format.

SHOW LESS

Capella Multimedia

Click the links provided below to view the following multimedia pieces:

  • Timeline: Introduction to Learning and Cognition |  Transcript.

Library Resources

The following e-books or articles from the Capella University Library are linked directly in this course:

  • Koltko-Rivera, M. E. (2004). The psychology of worldviews. Review of General Psychology, 8(1), 3–58.
  • Boesch, C. (2007). What makes us humans (homo sapiens)? The challenge of cognitive cross-species comparison. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 121(3), 227–240.
  • Garcia-Marques, L., Santos, A. S., & Mackie, D. M. (2006). Stereotypes: Static abstractions or dynamic knowledge structures? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 91(5), 814–831.

Course Library Guide

A Capella University library guide has been created specifically for your use in this course. You are encouraged to refer to the resources in the PSYC-FP3500 – Learning and Cognition Library Guide to help direct your research.

Bookstore Resources

The resources listed below are relevant to the topics and assessments in this course and are not required. Unless noted otherwise, these materials are available for purchase from the Capella University Bookstore. When searching the bookstore, be sure to look for the Course ID with the specific –FP (FlexPath) course designation.

  • Terry, W. S. (2009). Learning and memory: Basic principles, processes, and procedures (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. 
    • You may find Chapter 1 particularly relevant to the topics in this assessment.

Assessment Instructions

Preparation

In preparation for this assessment, select a research question that addresses the relationship between learning, cognition, and memory. Take time to use the Capella Library to familiarize yourself with key topics for this assessment:

  • The relationship between learning, cognition, and memory.
  • The approaches and goals of researching learning and memory.

The research questions for this assessment are:

  • What social media messages or platforms do you remember?
  • Who do you pay most attention to at a social gathering, such as a dinner with friends?
  • How does vocabulary retention differ between children and adults?
  • Why are some advertisements more memorable and/or persuasive than others?
  • What effect does novelty or familiarity have on memory or learning?

Choose one of the questions as a guide for your research. For the purpose of this assessment, you will not be expected to answer the question or solve the problem. You will be exploring different approaches to researching the components of the question in order to address the topic from different angles.

Directions

For this assessment, complete the following:

  1. Choose one research question from the list above that you would like to explore related to learning and memory.
  2. Find three scholarly sources in the Capella library, such as peer-reviewed research articles, that are related to the research question you chose. At least one article must describe empirical data collection. (Typically these articles contain headings such as participants, measures, instruments, and results.)
  3. For all articles, summarize what you learned from each source regarding your research question, and how this knowledge contributes to or changes your understanding of learning and memory.
  4. For the empirical article, summarize the methods and measures used in each of the articles you read. Different approaches will measure memory or learning in different ways based on the conceptual approach.
  5. Describe the practical impact of the research question or information from the articles you read might have on your personal and professional life. In what ways can this knowledge of learning and memory be applied to your life or work?

Strive to be as concise as possible and limit the length of your completed assessment to 4–5 pages, excluding the title page and reference page. Support your statements and analyses with references and citations from at least three scholarly resources.

Additional Requirements

  • Include a title page and a reference page.
  • Use at least three resources.
  • Follow APA format.
  • Note: You may use the APA Paper Template linked in the Resources. This resource is not required.
  • Use 12-point, Times New Roman font.
  • Double-space your paper.

Theories of Human Learning and Cognition Scoring Guide

CRITERIANON-PERFORMANCEBASICPROFICIENTDISTINGUISHEDDescribe different approaches to learning and cognition to a particular research question.Does not describe different approaches to learning and cognition to a particular research question.Attempts to describe different approaches to learning and cognition to a particular research question, but application is incomplete or inappropriate to the situation.Describes different approaches to learning and cognition to a particular research question.Describes different approaches to learning and cognition to a particular research question and evaluates how well each approach answers the question.Explain how research findings apply to a particular research question.Does not identify how research findings apply to a particular research question.Identifies ways in which research findings apply to a particular research question, but provides little or no explanation.Explains how research findings apply to a particular research question.Analyzes how research findings apply to a particular research question and supports conclusions with a strong rationale.Describe the approach being used in a particular research article.Does not identify the approach being used in a particular research article.Identifies the approach being used in a particular research article, but provides little or no description.Describes the approach being used in a particular research article.Describes the approach being used in a particular research article and supports conclusions with a strong rationale.Summarize the methods and measures used in different approaches to learning and cognition research.Does not identify the methods and measures used in different approaches to learning and cognition research.Identifies the methods and measures used in different approaches to learning and cognition research, but provides little or no description.Summarizes the methods and measures used in different approaches to learning and cognition research.Summarizes the methods and measures used in different approaches to learning and cognition research and supports conclusions with examples.Apply knowledge of theory and research in learning and cognition to inform personal and professional behavior.Does not apply knowledge of theory and research in learning and cognition to inform personal and professional behavior.Attempts to apply knowledge of theory and research in learning and cognition to inform personal and professional behavior but application is incomplete or inappropriate to the situation.Applies knowledge of theory and research in learning and cognition to inform personal and professional behavior.Applies knowledge of theory and research in learning and cognition to inform personal and professional behavior and supports conclusions with a strong rationale.Write coherently to support a central idea with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics as expected of a psychology professional.Writing does not support a central idea. Does not use correct grammar, usage, and mechanics as expected of a psychology professional.Writes to support an idea but is inconsistent and contains numerous errors of grammar, usage, and mechanics.Writes coherently to support a central idea with few errors of grammar, usage, and mechanics.Writes coherently, using evidence to support a central idea with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics, as expected of a psychology professional.Successfully implement APA style.Does not apply proper APA formatting and style.Written communication is adequate but has some APA errors and inconsistenciesSuccessfully implements APA style with only minor errors in format.Applies scholarly writing skills, and uses proper APA formatting and style in the body of the paper and references list.