Learning Styles: Separating Fact from Fiction

We have all heard it by now; the four learning styles are visual, auditory, tactile and reading/writing. Figure out which one you are and box yourself in. It seems simple enough, but the reality is the concept is quite outdated.

Who actually learns better by focusing on only one of the styles? Let’s say you are an auditory learner— would you rather hear a description of the location of Peru or simply look at it on a map? Do you think reading a recipe or listening to an audiobook would be more effective?

Truth is even if you do learn better using a specific style; the learning process is too complex to use it for every application. Science backs this up too. Up to this point, there is no scientific evidence that there are four definitive learning styles separating students. All studies point toward a different conclusion— the learning style you should use depends on what you are trying to learn.

Generally, there are some learning styles that are better suited for certain applications. If you are in a lecture, taking notes is probably the best way for you to memorize the material. However, what if you take up sewing as a hobby? Your only choice is to learn by doing.

In fact, you probably already knew this even if you did not realize it. We have no choice but to use all four learning styles every single day. Oftentimes, we even use multiple styles at once. Ever read subtitles while listening to and watching a movie? There you go.

So why do we still teach that there are four specific learning styles? Well, they are not completely useless. We all tend to favor one of the four over the others— so they can still be somewhat useful in constructing our own study methods. For example, if you favor reading and writing over visual means of learning, you might learn better by reading the textbook rather than watching a video lecture.

It is helpful to think of the learning styles as a simple guideline rather than a structured concept. As with most things, labels are often inherently limiting. Just because you took a Facebook quiz does not mean you have to learn to cook Risotto by looking at a Venn diagram. But, by all means if that is what you prefer— do you. 

By Danny Holland - Danny is a senior public relations and advertising major and the Communications Intern for the Division of Student Affairs at The University of Southern Mississippi.