Human Learning

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that one of the most significant arguments in regard to cognitive development is "nature vs. nurture": Does genetics or external environment play a greater role in human learning? The author stresses that a person's cultural, religious and social background provides powerful stimuli, which drive the developing human to act in a certain manner, especially in issues of ethics. The paper presents the seven stages of analytical or reflective thinking created by Patricia M. King and Karen S. Kitchener to study the cognitive development of school-age children.

From the Paper:

"Contemporary American society relies to a considerable extent on a system of formal education in order to inculcate in children those things society believes they must know and understand. A similar approach is employed in most other technologically advanced nations. While pre-industrial societies do not generally rely to the same extent on formal educational systems, all human cultures possess some idea of age-appropriate behavior and age-appropriate learning . In a hunter-gatherer society, for example, very young children will stay around the camp and perform simple tasks associated with family and the household."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Allender, J. S. (1991). Imagery in Teaching and Learning: An Autobiography of Research in Four World Views. New York: Praeger.
• Cohen, M. (2003). 101 Ethical Dilemmas. New York: Routledge.
• Daniels, H. & Edwards, A. (Eds.). (2004). The Routledgefalmer Reader in Psychology of Education. New York: RoutledgeFalmer.
• Gielen, U. P. & Roopnarine, J. (Eds.). (2004). Childhood and Adolescence: Cross-Cultural Perspectives and Applications. Westport, CT: Praeger.
• Gregory, E., Long, S., & Volk, D. (Eds.). (2004). Many Pathways to Literacy: Young Children Learning with Siblings, Grandparents, Peers, and Communities. New York: RoutledgeFalmer.

More papers on Human Learning:

• Article Review # 109630 : "Non-Human Species and Learning"
• Term Paper # 11219 : "Culture, Learning and Market"
• Research Paper # 68423 : "Workplace Learning"

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