Which theory emphasizes internal mental processes and the connections involved in learning?

• A. Behaviorism
• B. Constructivism
• C. Cognitivism
• D. AT Act 2008

Answer: (C)

Emphasizing internal mental processes and the connections involved in learning is the hallmark of cognitivism. It views learning as information processing inside the mind: paying attention to stimuli, encoding new ideas into memory, organizing them into schemas, and retrieving them to solve problems. Because learners bring prior knowledge, new material is learned by linking it to existing mental networks, and metacognition—thinking about one’s own thinking—helps monitor understanding. Effective instruction under this view uses strategies that support encoding and retrieval: activating prior knowledge, providing clear sequences, using graphic organizers or concept maps to show relationships, modeling explicit steps for problem solving, and giving feedback that helps students adjust mental models. Behaviorism centers on observable behavior and reinforcement, while constructivism emphasizes building knowledge through experience and social interaction. AT Act 2008 is not a learning theory; it’s legislation.