Principles and theories of learning

Why does a child learn some things easily and others not at all? Behaviourists answer: because of reinforcement — rewarded behaviour repeats. Cognitivists answer: because of how the mind organises information. Social learning theorists answer: because children watch and imitate others. Worked example: a pupil who starts doing homework after being praised for it is showing operant conditioning; one who learns to greet politely by watching a respected teacher is showing observational learning — both are real, and a good teacher uses both.