Even if it hurts to hear: You have probably believed a lie for many years – the myth of the four learning styles. Visual, auditory, communicative, and kinesthetic: In this article, you will learn why this is nicely simple, but actually nonsense.
4 senses, 4 learning styles? The antiquated model according to Vester
Even if you don't deal with learning on an intensive level, you are probably familiar with the model of the four learning styles:
Visual learner
Auditory learner
Communicative learner
Kinesthetic learner
This model goes back to Frederic Vester, a German biochemist. In the 1970s, he published the bestseller "Thinking, Learning, Forgetting", in which he spoke of four channels and developed the so-called theory of learning biology. Vester himself, however, did not strictly categorize people into a single learning style, but spoke of mixed forms (e.g., audio-visual).
Total nonsense? Strong criticism of the model of the 4 learning styles
If you search Google for learning styles – or even just for the term "learning" – you will immediately find numerous articles and tests along the lines of "Which learning style are you?" And of course: Vester's model is simple, and it's always nice to (supposedly) learn something about yourself.
Today, neuroscientist Henning Beck is one of many voices expressing criticism of the learning style model: If you were to take a test about your favorite food, the result would ultimately only represent a small part of your own preferences, says Beck. But it's only the mix that makes the offering appealing!
Why then has the myth of the 4 learning styles persisted for so long?
I have already given two answers to this above: First, the model of the four learning styles is so beautifully simple, and we humans are comfortable and love simple answers. Second, an effect similar to horoscopes comes into play here: We love learning things about ourselves. And intuitively find aspects of it that we agree with. "I'm a visual learner? – Oh yes, that's true, I really like watching videos!"
Another answer is provided by this scientific paper from 2020, among others: The learning styles model is based solely on our preferences. But what we like is not automatically good for us! Beck's nice comparison with our favorite foods fits perfectly here as well. On the one hand, having only cheesecake and chocolate is not good for us at all. On the other hand, we also get tired of our favorite food at some point if that is all we get.
For learning, this means: Just because I like to watch videos, a purely video-based e-learning does not generate the greatest learning effect for me. So I'm not a "visual learner," I just like watching moving images.
Instead of learning-style tunnel vision: A change of media does us all good!
Current research shows that we learn best when different regions of the brain are addressed. Yes, even you as a visual learner! 😉 The mix does the trick, and this also corresponds to the experience of many trainers and coaches: E-learning that offers the whole variety of media such as video, text, quizzes, etc., is fun and motivates participants to stay on track.
In addition, switching different media supports the learning process cognitively. Different forms of presentation activate different thinking processes and help to better process and remember content. This is precisely why many modern learning concepts deliberately rely on varied learning formats.
See also: Find the media mix for YOUR e-learning [Table]
Conclusion
Above all, the myth of the four learning styles shows one thing: Learning does not work through rigid categories, but through diverse learning impulses.
Although people have personal preferences when it comes to learning, these do not automatically determine the greatest learning success. Rather, scientific findings show that learning is particularly effective when different senses and thinking processes are addressed.
For trainers, coaches, and HR developers, this has an important consequence: Instead of offering content in only one format, different learning media should be combined. Videos, texts, exercises, or quizzes can complement each other and ensure a varied learning process.
A well-thought-out media mix therefore helps to actively involve participants, keep their attention, and anchor learning content more sustainably.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Do the four learning styles really exist?
The idea of the four learning styles is widespread, but is now considered scientifically unsustainable. The model describes personal preferences rather than actual learning mechanisms. People cannot be clearly assigned to a single learning style, and learning does not work through rigid categories.
Why does the myth of learning styles persist so stubbornly?
The model is easy to understand and offers simple explanations for complex learning processes. It also appeals to many people's desire to better understand and categorize themselves. Similar to personality tests or horoscopes, many recognize themselves in the descriptions, even if they only partially apply.
What does this mean for the design of learning content?
Instead of focusing on a supposed learning style, learning content should be designed to be varied. Switching between different formats such as videos, texts, tasks, or discussions helps to better understand and retain content in the long term.
According to current findings, how do people learn most effectively?
Current research shows that learning works particularly well when different senses and thinking processes are addressed. A varied media mix activates different areas in the brain and thus supports the processing and storage of knowledge much better than one-sided learning formats.
