Motives, Thoughts, and Behaviors

subordinates. The four learning styles are as follows: 1. Concrete experience People who primarily use the concrete learning style prefer an experience-based approach to learning. These people want to learn first hand without preparing beforehand. They do not want to learn by reading; they want to learn through experience. Concrete learners have the following charac- teristics: — Rely heavily on feeling-based judgments — Are receptive to new experiences and activities — Are people-oriented — Prefer to treat each situation as a new case — Learn best when they can get involved 2. Reflective Observation People who primarily use the reflective learning style prefer to sit back and observe without getting involved. They like to see how the situation looks before making a judgment or committing themselves to learning. Reflective learners have the following traits: — Rely heavily on careful observations when making judgments — Are more tentative or uncertain when it comes to learning — Like to reflect on what they have observed before drawing conclusions — Tend to be withdrawn — Prefer to be objective observers 3. Abstract conceptualization People who primarily use the abstract learning style prefer a theory-based, analytical approach to learning. These people prefer to study the topic and think about it. They don’t want to learn through experience; they’d rather read about it. Abstract learners have the following habits: — Rely heavily on logical thinking and rational evaluation — Are more oriented to things and symbols than they are to people — Prefer authority-directed, impersonal learning situations that emphasize theory — Are frustrated ing approaches simulations — Like systematic by “discovery” learn- such as role plays and approaches or theories 4. Active experimentation People who primarily use the active learning style prefer to learn by becoming involved in a subject. They take a step-by-step, active approach. These people like to apply what they are learning. Active learners have the following qualities: — Rely heavily on experimentation — Like to combine theory with application — Tend to be practical and responsible — Use feedback from others — Use trial and error and learn from their own mistakes Motives, Thoughts, and Behaviors A motive is a need or want based on your personal desires or goals. A motive also leads you to think about how you would feel about reaching or not reaching the goal. A thought leads to behavior that allows you to reach the goal. A behavior leads to goals that satisfy your needs and wants in the initial motive. We have three types of social motives: achieve- ment, affiliation, and power. These motives lead to behaviors related to persons and tasks met in daily living. 2-3