Page 52 - Class Portfolio2019

UNIT I
PSYCHOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION

MODULE 10
Cognitive Theories of Learning:
LEWIN’S FIELD THEORY OF LEARNING

Objectives:

 Describe Lewin’s viewpoint of learning.
 Differentiate the main concepts of Lewin’s Field theory.

 Value the importance of the 3 kinds of conflict and the major educational implications of
his theory.

 Know the ways on how this theory can be useful for us as a future teacher.

Introduction:

Kurt Lewin (1890-1947) is considered as the father of social psychology. He was born in
Germany, later emigrated to the US. He is well known for his writings on group dynamics, group
therapy and social psychology. He was the one who conducted experiments on the study of
behavior of children. He introduced his field theory concepts, emphasizing that the group differs
from the simple sum of its parts. His study of behavior as a function of the total physical and
social situation. Thus, holds that psychological laws need not be formulated solely on the basis
of statistical averages. Rather the individual case is equally important.

Lewin has classified learning into the following categories:

(i) Learning is a change in cognitive structure.
(ii) Learning is a change in motivation, i.e., in valences and values.
(iii) Learning is acquisition of skills.

(iv) Learning is a change in group belonging.
The main concepts used in Lewin’s field theory are as follows:

1. Topology -used to represent the structure of life- space in such a way as to define the range
of possible perceptions and actions. This is accomplished by showing the arrangements of the
functional parts of life-space.

Two basic concepts which topological space denotes are:

(i) Connectedness, and

(ii) Part-whole relationships.

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