What Can Developmental Psychology Teach Us About Different Learning Styles?

Developmental psychology is a form of study that looks at various aspects of human psychology. Primarily, it aims to determine how human beings change over the course of their lifetime, as well as the reasons behind the changes. When it first began, it was heavily focused on infants and children, but new developments have led scientific studies to address the changes that occur in adolescence, adulthood, and throughout the entire aging process.

Developmental psychology can be a great aid in identifying how different learning styles may change and adapt throughout a student’s studies, from the time they first enter their schooling all the way up until their last year of high school, graduate, or postgraduate studies. Learning styles may change as people change their course of study, or because of how they develop psychologically.

The aspects of development that this sector of psychology look at include:

• Cognitive development throughout one’s life
• Developmental challenges or learning disabilities
• Emotional development
• Moral reasoning
• Motor skill development
• Personality and self-awareness
• Social/cultural influences

So why is psychology so important when it comes to learning? A solid understanding of the key factors in developmental psychology can lead to teachers and learners having a better chance of reaching their full potential over the course of their lifetime. It also addresses problems early on, so that difficulties with schooling later on in life can be avoided.

Why is psychology important in teaching and learning?
By utilizing psychology, specifically educational psychology, teachers are able to determine how people learn. This information is vital to teachers because if they understand how their students learn, they may be more adept at teaching to match specific learning styles. Some different topics that psychology addresses when it comes to teaching and learning include student outcomes, gifted learners and how they differ from those who are non-gifted, and how those with learning disabilities learn as opposed to those without.

Psychology can also be used to study the cognitive processes that learners implement throughout their lives and schooling, as well as the social and emotional impacts and factors that go into how students learn. By understanding how students learn and retain information, teachers can be well-equipped to teach effectively and with the best positive learning outcomes.

What are the different types of learning styles in psychology?
There are four specific types of learning styles when it comes to the psychological aspect of schooling. They are:

• Visual. Visual learners do their best when they can see lessons in front of them. Things such as charts, illustrations, handouts, videos, and diagrams are tools that a visual learner will best respond to. They require a visual representation as opposed to a written one.
• Auditory. Auditory learners do best when they hear information presented to them. They thrive in learning settings such as lectures and audio presentations. They may read things aloud for better retention, or even create songs out of their studies to help them remember key information.
• Reading/Writing. Those who thrive on reading and writing learn effectively when they take in information from words and text. They may be inclined to use lists, read textbooks and articles, and take notes during lectures.
• Kinesthetic. A kinesthetic learner does best through hands-on experience. They need to be able to touch or participate in the lesson to retain the most information. They may excel at hands-on activities such as sports, woodworking, cooking, and painting. They learn best through direct practice.

Why is it important to understand different learning styles?
Understanding the different learning styles is important for both the teacher and the learner. From the teacher’s point of view, knowing how their students learn can be helpful in using the proper tools to help students retain as much information as possible and excel in their studies. Teachers who know their students’ individual learning styles can also be more aware of how to approach teaching a classroom, even if all the students vary by learning style. They can utilize a more personalized approach for each student by offering different aspects of learning styles in conjunction with one another.

For a learner, understanding their individual learning style can give them the knowledge to implement certain learning strategies, even in a typical classroom setting. For example, if someone is a visual learner but is exposed to mostly lectures, they may be able to implement visual strategies in their study sessions that can help them enjoy learning more and retain information better.

From a developmental psychology standpoint, understanding the different learning styles is important because it can help teachers and learners grow in their studies. Looking into how the social aspect of development, how it plays a role in learning styles, and how styles may change over time can lead to a better understanding of how to teach certain learners.

What is the most common learning style?
The most common learning style is visual. About 65% of the population fall under the category of visual learners. This speaks to many aspects of traditional teaching and explains the primary focuses of traditional school settings. Although visual learning works well for over half of all learners, knowing the four learning styles can help teachers vary their lesson plans and help all students succeed further.

By using developmental psychology, teachers and learners can bridge many gaps in how schooling is carried out. As people change, learning changes along with them, and knowing how and why that happens can be a great tool in keeping all students realize and fulfil their potential.

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