A Critical Psychology of Learning

This important book re-evaluates learning theories, taking a critical psychological approach to promote understanding of different facets and characteristics of learning from the viewpoint of the learners. The book gives an overview of influential learning theories, encompassing essentialist approaches; behaviourist approaches; cognitive approaches; constructivist approaches; and the participative approaches. It pays particular attention to the historical and societal contextualization of different approaches, including their emergence, recognition and domination. Discussion is guided by questions around how the learning subject and society are conceptualised in different learning theories, and the consequences for teaching from the premises of the respective learning theories. Showing the relevance of critical psychology for understanding and dealing with learning and educative processes and practices, this book will be highly useful for students and researchers of critical psychology, psychology of education, and education studies.