Human Learning

Ormrod’s engaging, conversational writing style introduces readers to all of the essential learning theories and their real-world classroom implications

The market-leading education textbook on learning theories, Human Learning, looks at a broad range of theoretical perspectives, including behaviorist, social cognitive, cognitive, constructivist, cognitive-developmental, sociocultural, and contextual. Each chapter is filled with concrete examples of how these theories apply to learning, instruction, and assessment as well as specific ways readers can apply the theories in their own classrooms. The straightforward, conversational writing style readily engages readers and helps them truly understand the concepts, principles, and theories related to human learning and cognition.

The new 8th Edition includes expanded discussions of several contemporary perspectives and a variety of new topics that have emerged in recent research (e.g., motivated reasoning, desirable difficulties). Some discussions of psychological perspectives on learning that have primarily historical value have been either condensed or altogether removed to make room for recent advances in theory and research.

“"The main strength of this [book] is that it honestly has the most thorough and accurate presentation of the conceptual material. The chapters are simply packed full of detail. It is a wonderful compilation of our current understanding of human learning processes, made accessible by clear and concise language." --Alexander Pagnani, University of Central Missouri "Clear, concise, detailed when needed and applicable, a good overall text to introduce human learning... there are few, if any, textbooks that bridge the gap between undergraduate and graduate level material as well as this one." --Stephen Whitney, University of Missouri "Very comprehensive in learning and motivation theories; Intriguing, fun to read; [and] Lots of great discussions and applications for teachers... The book is the best for graduate students who take a learning theories or learning and development course, especially for students who are going to be teachers... I highly recommend the book to professors who are looking for an advanced educational psychology book..." --Xiaopeng Gong, Western Oregon University”

"The main strength of this [book] is that it honestly has the most thorough and accurate presentation of the conceptual material. The chapters are simply packed full of detail. It is a wonderful compilation of our current understanding of human learning processes, made accessible by clear and concise language."
--Alexander Pagnani, University of Central Missouri
"Clear, concise, detailed when needed and applicable, a good overall text to introduce human learning... there are few, if any, textbooks that bridge the gap between undergraduate and graduate level material as well as this one."
--Stephen Whitney, University of Missouri

"Very comprehensive in learning and motivation theories; Intriguing, fun to read; [and] Lots of great discussions and applications for teachers... The book is the best for graduate students who take a learning theories or learning and development course, especially for students who are going to be teachers... I highly recommend the book to professors who are looking for an advanced educational psychology book..."
--Xiaopeng Gong, Western Oregon University

About our author

Jeanne Ellis Ormrod holds a B.A. degree in psychology from Brown University and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in educational psychology from The Pennsylvania State University. For many years she was a faculty member at the University of Northern Colorado, where she taught courses in learning and cognition, educational psychology, measurement, and research methods; she is currently Professor Emerita of Psychological Sciences at UNC. Dr. Ormrod has published numerous research articles but is probably best known for this book and several other textbooks: Educational Psychology: Developing Learners (9th ed., 2017); Essentials of Educational Psychology (5th ed., 2018); Our Minds, Our Memories: Enhancing Thinking and Learning at All Ages (2011); Child Development and Education (with Teresa McDevitt; 6th ed., 2016) and Practical Research: Planning and Design (with Paul Leedy, 12th ed., 2019).

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