Close

Experiential learning theory differs from cognitive and behavioral theories in that cognitive theories emphasize the role of mental processes while behavioral theories ignore the possible role of subjective experience in the learning process.

What Is Learning?

Experiential Model Theory

In the experiential model, Kolb described two different ways ofgraspingexperience:

He also identified two ways oftransformingexperience:

These four modes of learning are often portrayed as acycle. According to Kolb, concrete experience provides information that serves as a basis for reflection. From these reflections, weassimilatethe information and form abstract concepts.

People then use these concepts to develop new theories about the world, which they then actively test.

Through the testing of our ideas, we once again gather information through experience, cycling back to the beginning of the process. The process does not necessarily begin with experience, however. Instead, each person must choose which learning mode will work best based upon the specific situation.

For example, let’s imagine that you are going to learn how to drive a car:

Preferences Play a Role

How do we decide which mode of experiential learning will work best? While situational variables are important, our own preferences play a large role. Kolb notes that people who are considered “watchers” prefer reflective observation, while those who are “doers” are more likely to engage in active experimentation.

“Because of our hereditary equipment, our particular past life experiences, and the demands of our environment, we develop a preferred way of choosing,” Kolb explains.

These preferences also serve as the basis forKolb’s learning styles. In this learning style model, each of the four types has dominant learning abilities in two areas. For example, people with the diverging learning style are dominant in the areas of concrete experience and reflective observation.

Factors That Influence Learning StylesKolb suggests that a number of different factors can influence preferred learning styles. Some of the factors that he has identified include:Adaptive competenciesCareer choiceCurrent job roleEducational specializationPersonality type

Factors That Influence Learning Styles

Kolb suggests that a number of different factors can influence preferred learning styles. Some of the factors that he has identified include:Adaptive competenciesCareer choiceCurrent job roleEducational specializationPersonality type

Kolb suggests that a number of different factors can influence preferred learning styles. Some of the factors that he has identified include:

Are You a Visual, Auditory, Reading, or Tactile Learner?

Experiential Learning Theory Support and Criticism

While Kolb’s theory is one of the widely used learning models in the field of education, it has been widely criticized for a number of reasons.

Support for Experiential Learning Theory

Kolb’s own research suggests that there is acorrelationbetween students learning styles and their chosen majors. People who choose college majors and professions that are well-aligned to their learning styles tend to be more committed to their field.

Experiential learning can be good for helping people explore their own strengths when learning new things. The theory addresses how learners can play to their own strengths as well as developing areas in which they are weakest.

Criticism of Experiential Learning Theory

The experiential learning theory does not adequately address the role that non-reflective experience plays in the learning process. While the theory is good at analyzing how learning occurs for individuals, it does little to look at learning that occurs in larger social groups. How does the individual’s interaction with a larger group impact the experiential learning process?

Learning styles may not be stable over time. For example, one study published in 1999 found that adults over the age of 65 tend to become more observant and reflective while learning. Other critics suggest that the theory is too narrowly focused and restrictive.

Understanding your own learning preferences may be helpful, but it does not necessarily mean that you can’t learn in other ways or that your preferred style will always be the same.

How Bloom’s Taxonomy Can Help You Learn More Effectively

3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kolb, D. A.Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall; 1984.Sternberg RJ, Zhang L-fang.Perspectives on Thinking, Learning, and Cognitive Styles. Florence: Taylor and Francis; 2014.Truluck JE, Courtenay, BC.Learning Style Preferences Among Older Adults.Educational Gerontology. 1999;25(3):221-236. doi:10.1080/036012799267846.

3 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kolb, D. A.Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall; 1984.Sternberg RJ, Zhang L-fang.Perspectives on Thinking, Learning, and Cognitive Styles. Florence: Taylor and Francis; 2014.Truluck JE, Courtenay, BC.Learning Style Preferences Among Older Adults.Educational Gerontology. 1999;25(3):221-236. doi:10.1080/036012799267846.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Kolb, D. A.Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall; 1984.Sternberg RJ, Zhang L-fang.Perspectives on Thinking, Learning, and Cognitive Styles. Florence: Taylor and Francis; 2014.Truluck JE, Courtenay, BC.Learning Style Preferences Among Older Adults.Educational Gerontology. 1999;25(3):221-236. doi:10.1080/036012799267846.

Kolb, D. A.Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall; 1984.

Sternberg RJ, Zhang L-fang.Perspectives on Thinking, Learning, and Cognitive Styles. Florence: Taylor and Francis; 2014.

Truluck JE, Courtenay, BC.Learning Style Preferences Among Older Adults.Educational Gerontology. 1999;25(3):221-236. doi:10.1080/036012799267846.

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?