Applying Learning Theory: Social Constructivism Theory

Applying Learning Theory: Social Constructivism Theory
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Part I
Lockman, J. D., & Servaty-Seib, H. L. (2018). Testing the predictions of the existential constructivist theory of suicide in a college student sample. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 65(3), 294–307.
The researcher sought to examine Roger’s existential constructivist theory of suicide and its efficacy in identifying and treating suicidal college students. Existential constructivist theory of suicide is whereby an individual I s unable to reconstruct meaning from adverse life events and leads to suicide ideation. The researcher tested the predictions of ECTS on college respondents and the findings showed partial support for ECTS. The study found that applying ECTS in identifying patterns of suicide ideation can offer a more effective intervention point to treat suicidal students.
Rogers, J.R., Soyka, K.M. (2004) “One Size Fits All”: An Existential-Constructivist Perspective on the Crisis Intervention Approach with Suicidal Individuals. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy 34, 7–22.
The article posits that contemporary assessment and intervention approaches to suicidal individual are ineffective. The article also points out that crisis intervention approach is both ineffective and exacerbates suicide ideation. The article presented an alternative intervention model based on existential constructivist theory that had better results with suicidal individuals. The researchers concluded that existential constructivist theory had higher efficacy rates on reducing suicide ideation and should be applied rather than contemporary assessment and intervention approaches.
White, J. & Kral, M (2014) Re-Thinking Youth Suicide: Language, Culture, and Power. Journal for Social Action inf Counselling and Psychology. Volume 6, No.1 Pg 122- 142
This article takes a social constructionist perspective on discussing some of the reasons why some individuals find their lives unlivable. The authors argue that there are complex relational processes that are inherent to all humans. They argue that experiences of stress, understanding of oneself and suicide ideation are all objective entities awaiting discovery. They are also explored through cultural and social practices. Thus, to address the issue of youth suicide, the discussion has to encompass cultural and social justice framework.
Part II
Social constructivism theory led by Lev Vygotsky posits that all cognitive functions originate from social interactions CITATION LDa17 \l 1033 (L.Davis, M.Witcraft, O.Baird, & A.J.Smits, 2017). Thus, learning is not simple assimilation of knowledge by learners; rather, it is a process where learners are integrated into the knowledge community. The theory hypothesizes that every function of a child’s development appears twice, first at the social level and secondly at the individual level. Social constructivism theory differs from cognitive theory in its view of how individuals learn new knowledge. While in cognitive theory, there is a triadic reciprocal relationship between environment, behavior, and the individual to facilitate learning. Constructivists observe that learners actively cons...