Verbal Learning

The concept of verbal learning is the understanding and gaining of knowledge through verbal stimuli, commonly known as speaking. The presentation of knowledge through the act of speaking allows learning by memorization. Memorization is the repetition of information to gain understanding and knowledge. A thorough understanding of verbal learning can be obtained through a comprehensive examination of the various aspects that it encompasses. The first aspect of verbal learning is defining the concept itself. Within the definition of verbal learning will be an introduction to Dr. David Ausubel, a psychologist who studied verbal learning. The second aspect of verbal learning that will be examined in this paper is the comparison and contrasting of serial learning (a list of items), paired associate learning (one item helping retrieve information), and free recall (independent items). The fourth and final aspect of verbal learning explored in this paper is the concept of mnemonics, or retention of information, in the recall of verbal stimuli. Verbal Learning S. Cooper wrote about David Ausubel as he was a psychologist who studied the developmental and educational psychology of individuals. Verbal learning was the area of psychology that was studied most in depth by Ausubel. In his research, Ausubel “focused on the nature of meaning, and believes the external world acquires meaning only as it is converted into the content of consciousness by the learner” (Cooper, 2009). Careful examination of learning and information retention led Ausubel to propose his theory on verbal learning, which concentrated on speech, reading, and writing. Ausubel asserted that individuals who benefit from knowledge