V.A.K. - Behavioral Science Study Guide that takes a quick look at how people learn and retain information.

1. LEARNING STYLES
STUDY GUIDE
Phoenix R. Cavalier
Behavioral Science (BSC-O)
V A K

2. THE LOCUS OF CONTROL
The ‘locus of control’ was made famous by the work done by Julian B. Rotter, born in Brooklyn in
October, 1916. His work challenged the prevailing notion that behaviors were driven mainly by
instinct. J.B. Rotter introduced social learning theory stating people are primarily driven to find
positive experiences. Rather than viewing personality as a set of fixed behaviors, he stated
environmental stimulation, personal background, and other internal factors were the main drivers
of human behavior. While a person might have expressed a certain pattern of behavior, even for
many years, Rotter believed a change in environment could in fact lead to a new set of behaviors
being exhibited. Beyond ‘social learning theory’ and its four components of (1) behavioral
potential, (2) expectancy, (3) reinforcement value, and (4), psychological situations, Rotter is
renowned for his introduction of the locus of control within social learning theory; ‘locus’
means ‘place’ or ‘center of focus’.
Click to Play a Short Video on
Locus of Control
Take Action: Read the definitions shown in two boxes out loud to identify which is most like you.
If you attribute results in your life to your own
efforts, and feel your life’s results are something If you feel the results you experience in your
you control then you would be expressing a life are the result of luck, chance, or other
strong internal locus of control. factors you would be expressing a strong
external locus of control.
Take Action: Describe how you view your ability to control results you experience in your life.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Take Action: My Locus of Control is... external
internal
Directions: Simply place an on the dotted line where it best represents your locus of control the majority of the time.

3. THE LOCUS OF CONTROL
The ‘locus of control’ was made famous by the work done by Julian B. Rotter, born in Brooklyn in
October, 1916. His work challenged the prevailing notion that behaviors were driven mainly by
instinct. J.B. Rotter introduced social learning theory stating people are primarily driven to find
positive experiences. Rather than viewing personality as a set of fixed behaviors, he stated
environmental stimulation, personal background, and other internal factors were the main drivers
of human behavior. While a person might have expressed a certain pattern of behavior, even for
many years, Rotter believed a change in environment could in fact lead to a new set of behaviors
being exhibited. Beyond ‘social learning theory’ and its four components of (1) behavioral
potential, (2) expectancy, (3) reinforcement value, and (4), psychological situations, Rotter is
renowned for his introduction of the locus of control within social learning theory; ‘locus’
means ‘place’ or ‘center of focus’.
Click to Play a Short Video on
Locus of Control
Take Action: Read the definitions shown in two boxes out loud to identify which is most like you.
If you attribute results in your life to your own
efforts, and feel your life’s results are something If you feel the results you experience in your
you control then you would be expressing a life are the result of luck, chance, or other
strong internal locus of control. factors you would be expressing a strong
external locus of control.
Take Action: Describe how you view your ability to control results you experience in your life.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Take Action: My Locus of Control is... external
internal
Directions: Simply place an on the dotted line where it best represents your locus of control the majority of the time.

4. FIVE QUESTIONS AND MY RESPONSES
1. In your own words, provide a brief description of each of the three theories.
Visual learners are naturally drawn to visual information, such as charts, graphs,
color and depth. This learning preference for seeing information allows them to
V quickly identify how objects relate to one another and how to create visual
harmony, be it through color-coded note-taking or in how they format their work.
Auditory learners are naturally drawn to the tone of a message that is presented to
them. This sensitivity allows them to retain new information without requiring a
A pen to take notes. This learning preference allows them to benefit from lecture
settings, books on tape, or engaging conversation to learn and apply new ideas.
Kinesthetic learners are naturally drawn to sensory experiences when learning new
information. Their awareness of how they feel about a subject is just as important
K to them as the information. This learning preference is great for hands-on activities
and collaborative environments that are experiential.
Click to Play a Short Video on Learning Styles
2. What were your numerical results for...
Cognitive Learning Style? Brain Dominance? Multiple Intelligences
Right: 11 / Left: 8
Spatial
=13 Logic
2.57 5.00
Nature
3.29 Social
=11 4.29
Self
3.86
=6 Language
Movement
4.14
3.86 Music
4.00
3. Which results do you feel most accurately reflect how you view yourself and why?
I strongly agree with the Multiple Intelligences Spatial score of 5.00. I have always been able to hang a picture without
a level, pack a car full of boxes without any unused space, and see exactly how to move a large sofa up a narrow
staircase. This awareness affects the work I do to create visual balance and harmony through layout and formatting.
4. What strategies did you incorporate into your study aid to appeal to your learning style and
other types of learners?
I added a video element to connect with my own visual style and to connect with auditory learners. I also created a
‘read aloud’ section to connect with auditory learner and kinesthetic learners who would ‘feel’ the words through
speech. I chose to use bright images, saturated color, and interesting textures to connect with visual learners. I also
invited kinesthetic learners to get engaged by writing a short paragraph and ranking their own locus of control.
5. How can you use similar strategies to optimize your learning experiences in future classes?
The ability to embrace my natural learning style will always have me drawing, taking notes, and wiggling my toes. What
I look forward to doing more of is identifying resources that stimulate my mind both visually and in an auditory
manner as well. Regardless of the course I will benefit from creating projects as a way to engage myself physically
while also engaging my mind through auditory and visual stimulation.

5. FIVE QUESTIONS AND MY RESPONSES
1. In your own words, provide a brief description of each of the three theories.
Visual learners are naturally drawn to visual information, such as charts, graphs,
color and depth. This learning preference for seeing information allows them to
V quickly identify how objects relate to one another and how to create visual
harmony, be it through color-coded note-taking or in how they format their work.
Auditory learners are naturally drawn to the tone of a message that is presented to
them. This sensitivity allows them to retain new information without requiring a
A pen to take notes. This learning preference allows them to benefit from lecture
settings, books on tape, or engaging conversation to learn and apply new ideas.
Kinesthetic learners are naturally drawn to sensory experiences when learning new
information. Their awareness of how they feel about a subject is just as important
K to them as the information. This learning preference is great for hands-on activities
and collaborative environments that are experiential.
Click to Play a Short Video on Learning Styles
2. What were your numerical results for...
Cognitive Learning Style? Brain Dominance? Multiple Intelligences
Right: 11 / Left: 8
Spatial
=13 Logic
2.57 5.00
Nature
3.29 Social
=11 4.29
Self
3.86
=6 Language
Movement
4.14
3.86 Music
4.00
3. Which results do you feel most accurately reflect how you view yourself and why?
I strongly agree with the Multiple Intelligences Spatial score of 5.00. I have always been able to hang a picture without
a level, pack a car full of boxes without any unused space, and see exactly how to move a large sofa up a narrow
staircase. This awareness affects the work I do to create visual balance and harmony through layout and formatting.
4. What strategies did you incorporate into your study aid to appeal to your learning style and
other types of learners?
I added a video element to connect with my own visual style and to connect with auditory learners. I also created a
‘read aloud’ section to connect with auditory learner and kinesthetic learners who would ‘feel’ the words through
speech. I chose to use bright images, saturated color, and interesting textures to connect with visual learners. I also
invited kinesthetic learners to get engaged by writing a short paragraph and ranking their own locus of control.
5. How can you use similar strategies to optimize your learning experiences in future classes?
The ability to embrace my natural learning style will always have me drawing, taking notes, and wiggling my toes. What
I look forward to doing more of is identifying resources that stimulate my mind both visually and in an auditory
manner as well. Regardless of the course I will benefit from creating projects as a way to engage myself physically
while also engaging my mind through auditory and visual stimulation.