Cognitive Field Theory of Learning

Cognitive
Field or Gestalt theory was formulated by a group of German Psychologists. The
theory emphasizes insightful learning rather than mechanical conditioning. It
is believed that meaningful learning can only take place through a sequence of
problem-solving approach. In this article, you will learn how learning takes place
through the application of logical principles and previous experience.

COGNITIVE FIELD THEORY OF LEARNING

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of many theorists were collected by Gestalt to formulate a cognitive field
theory. Notable among them were Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka, and Wolfgang
Kohler. Gestalt in German language means “organization or fusion”. This theory
rejected the views that consider the learning process in an isolated form
rather than in a total or holistic form. The theory does not support associating
bits of experiences as postulated in the stimulus-response theories. This
theory is of the opinion that parts are configured or organized to make
complete or meaningful experiences or impressions. The emphasis here is on the
importance of experience, meaning, problem solving and the development of
insights. The Gestalt therefore placed more credence on insightful learning
rather than trial and error like that of Thorndike or mechanical conditioning
as performed by Ivan Pavlov in his classical conditioning theory.

Insightful
learning is hinged on the fact that animals undergo a series of problem-solving
approach following a sequence of principles or logic and previous experience
before arriving at a solution. In this theory, the cognitive or mental processes
of the animals are regarded as the yardstick in the development of insightful
learning.

Cognitive Field or Gestalt Theory of learning

To
establish this fact, Gestalt Psychologists performed several experiments using
apes as subjects. In one of the experiments, an ape (Sultan) was put in a
cage. This sultan was very intelligent. In the cage was a stool and banana,
hung on the top of the box. Initially, several unsuccessful attempts were made
by the apes to get the banana. Suddenly, sultan decided to pull out the stool
and climbed it to pluck the banana from where it was hung. This type of
learning is called insightful, because it involves problem-solving approach.

Another
experiment was performed with several apes including sultan, put in the box
with a banana and a stick lying outside the cage. Several experimental apes
stretched their hands to pick the banana from outside but were unsuccessful.
The brilliant one among them (sultan) devised a solution by picking the stick
outside first and using it to draw the banana closer until its hand touched the
banana.

Kohler’s experiment to insightful learning

The last
experiment performed by Kohler on this insightful learning, was an extension of
the second experiment. In this case, the apes were put in the cage; banana and
two sticks (long and short) were lying outside. None of these two sticks could
get to the banana unless by joining them together. The apes in the box made
series of attempts to rake in the banana with the two sticks separately without
succeeding. It was sultan who later manipulated and fixed the two sticks together
before it could finally collect the banana. All these experiments indicated
that learning cannot take place in a segregated way but in a complete form.

Insightful
learning therefore adopts the following strategies in learning:

(a)           identify and define the problem or
task;

(b)           formulate the hypotheses;

(c)            come out with different solutions;

(d)           select /implement the viable
solution; and

(e)            evaluate / appraise the selected
solution or revisit the problem.

Differences
between Behaviourists and Gestalt Theories of Learning