There are theories that divide human intelligence by areas and in this sense there are complex processes called learning styles, which describehow the individual can assimilate and process the informationhe receives from his environment.
In this article, we explainthe 8 most common learning stylesand briefly describe their main characteristics.
Index
ToggleWhat is a learning style?
There are some concepts aboutlearning styles according to various authors, includingHoward Gardner(1) andDavid Kolb. (2)
In this sense,Kolb’s model of learning styles is based on his “Experiential Learning Theory”(3) and describes that learning is a process whereknowledge is obtained through experience.
For his part, forGardner, this concept describes that the way of learningcan vary from one intelligence to another, based on his “Theory of Multiple Intelligences”. (4)
In the previous context, a learning style could be defined as that process through which the human being discriminates theactivities and senses, with which he can more easily process and assimilatethe greater amount of information he receives from the environment.
To highlight: Intelligence isnot the same in all people, since the information that is processed through sight, hearing, touch or note-takingis assimilated in a different way.
What are the learning styles?
In academic teaching at its different levels, students are favored mostly by genetics, by defined learning styles. Here are the most common learning styles:
1. Visual learning
One of these styles is Visual Learning , where the student, for example, has a greater facility to process and understand the information received through sight.
In general, this tends to be the dominant learning style in the student population and here these people assimilate images, diagrams, graphs and videos very well both for the representation of information and for working with ideas and concepts.
Note: A very common example is when the student finds it easy to express ideas and concepts through concept maps or infographics.
2. Auditory learning
The Auditory Learning style is oriented to those individuals, whose capture style is guided more towards the assimilation of information through auditory perception.
You should know: In this type of people, auditory stimuli represent the easiest way to acquire learning to a greater extent than visual stimuli.
3. Kinesthetic learning
In the kinesthetic learning style , the capture and assimilation of the information that the individual receives from the environment, perceives it through touch and movement.
This type of kinesthetic peopleUnderstand and interpret information morethrough body movement and sensations , making this learning their contact tool with the outside world.
To highlight: In the academic area, visual, auditory and kinesthetic learning styles are the most predominant.
4. Logical learning
People with abstract thinking belong to this style , they prefer to use logic and reasoninginstead of contextualizing. In this sense, the student has an ease of understanding through logic andbetter perceives the information using schemes and numbers.
Note: They are lovers of mathematics and everything in which logical reasoning is used to solve problems, emphasizing that this learning style strengthens logical-mathematical intelligence .
5. Language learning
Students who use this learning style better capture the information they receive through reading or writing.
In this context, the student prefers to learn from class notes by subject or from research in texts, because they find in words a more viable form of connection to assimilate the information they receive and transform it into knowledge.
You should know: This learning style stimulates and develops Linguistic Intelligence.
6. Social learning
People who develop the Social Learning style tend to capture ideas better when they are working in a group. They submit their ideas and conclusions to discussion with their peers and from there extract information for their learning.
To highlight: In this learning style, the individual also has the opportunity to observe and imitate other behaviorsthat seem appropriate. Similarly, this learning style is used to developInterpersonal Intelligence .
7. Individual learning
For this learning style, people need to be alone to assimilate knowledge , they require a lot of introspection, reflection and mental experiments to understand what they perceive and it has as a characteristic that it depends individually on the initiative and motivation to learn.
Note: It is typical of those people who prefer Solitude and tranquility to studytag. They are reflective and usually focus on topics that are of interest to them. This learning style developsIntrapersonal Intelligence .
8. Multimodal learning
The multimodal learning style consists of teaching a concept or topic using more than one learning style, which are generally visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and linguistic.
You should know: The multimodal learning style is one of the most effective learning strategies that exist , since it achieves a better fixation of the information acquired.
Key Findings
- Learning styles constitute a process that Discriminatesactivities and senses, with which the human being can process and assimilate information more easily.
- Each learning style is a proper and individual capacity.
- Individuals can be characterized by a learning style that defines their personality .
- These learning styles are basically used in the school teaching process more regularly.

University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.