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Curious how you can switch up your study habits and make studying more enjoyable? Understanding your preferred learning style could help.
In this article, you’ll understand one model of learning styles, take a learning style quiz, and learn about other psychological concepts to help you optimize your study sessions.
Learning is a lifelong journey. As we grow and develop the way we best absorb new information evolves. When we were children, we may have learned best through play. As students we may have preferred hands-on activities over lectures. Now, as professionals, we may learn more quickly by reading than listening.
Our individual learning styles impact how we process information By understanding our own unique styles, we can optimize our learning potential
Why Do Learning Styles Matter?
Learning styles, also called cognitive styles or learning preferences, refer to the ways we naturally prefer to gather, interpret, organize and think about new information
Research shows that no one style is better than another. But when instruction matches our learning preferences, we tend to understand concepts faster, retain more information and apply knowledge more effectively. On the other hand, mismatching instructional methods with learning styles may lead to boredom, stress or underperformance.
As an analogy, think about your hands. Most people naturally favor one hand over the other for writing or throwing a ball. This dominant hand feels more dexterous. Using your non-dominant hand takes more effort and concentration. Still, relying solely on your favored hand could limit your abilities. Learning to use both hands makes you more adaptable.
In the same way, developing a range of learning styles enhances your flexibility and success. However, first you need to discover your natural inclinations.
The 7 Main Learning Styles
In the 1980s, psychologist Howard Gardner developed the Theory of Multiple Intelligences. His research showed that intelligence isn’t a single capacity measured by IQ tests. Rather, we have a spectrum of cognitive abilities. Gardner initially identified seven main intelligences. Later, he added an eighth.
Each intelligence corresponds with specific learning preferences:
1. Visual
Visual learners absorb and recall information best through visual aids like charts, diagrams, illustrations, videos and demonstrations. In a classroom, they prefer lectures supported by visual materials. They learn well from visual sources like textbooks, presentations and the internet.
To study, visual learners may draw models and outlines. They often visualize words and concepts in their heads. They prefer graphics over heavy blocks of text.
2. Verbal
Verbal or linguistic learners do well with both written and spoken language. They articulate ideas well verbally. They enjoy reading, writing, listening to lectures, and discussing concepts.
When studying, verbal learners summarize information, take notes, repeat facts aloud and discuss topics with others. They store knowledge as words.
3. Auditory
Auditory learners absorb information best through listening. They interpret meaning from vocal tone, pitch, emphasis and rhythm. Auditory learners benefit most from lectures, discussions, recordings, songs and oral storytelling.
To retain information, they read aloud, recite facts or listen to audiobook summaries. Auditory learners encode knowledge as sound.
4. Kinesthetic
Kinesthetic or physical learners prefer hands-on, tactile experiences. They absorb information well through concrete examples, experiments, demonstrations and real-life practice. They dislike passive lectures and theoretical discussions.
Kinesthetic learners study by actively highlighting, underlining, manipulating objects, or recreating processes. They encode knowledge through touch and movement.
5. Logical
Logical or mathematical learners think conceptually and grasp new ideas through reasoning, systems, patterns and logical explanations. They follow step-by-step directions well. They learn through categorizing, classifying and working with abstract relationships between concepts.
Logical learners make study outlines, flow charts, formulas and questionnaires to reinforce learning. They encode knowledge mathematically.
6. Social
Social or interpersonal learners absorb information best through interaction, collaboration and discussion with others. They prefer learning in groups through shared experiences.
When studying solo, social learners often imagine themselves explaining concepts to others. They summarize information through dialogues. Their knowledge is encoded through personal connections.
7. Solitary
Solitary or intrapersonal learners prefer self-study, introspection and working alone. They process information deeply through inner reflection. They dislike learning in groups.
Solitary learners study well through independent research. They grasp concepts best with minimal distraction. Their knowledge is encoded internally.
8. Naturalistic
Naturalistic or spatial learners understand the natural world through patterns, categories and interpretation. They recognize and classify objects in nature. They learn through exploring the environment.
Naturalistic learners absorb information during field trips, nature walks and hands-on experiences outdoors. They encode knowledge spatially.
Discovering Your Learning Style
We each possess a unique blend of learning styles in varying degrees of strength. Completing a learning styles assessment helps build self-awareness of your particular combination.
Many free learning style quizzes and tests are available online. For example, Learning Style Quiz and Practical Psychology offer quick assessments. Most involve rating a series of statements about your typical behaviors and preferences.
More formal learning style assessments include:
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VARK Questionnaire – classifies preferences visually, aurally, through reading/writing or kinesthetically.
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Barsch Learning Style Inventory – measures auditory, visual and kinesthetic styles.
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Index of Learning Styles Questionnaire – assesses visual/verbal and active/reflective dimensions.
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Gregorc Style Delineator – identifies concrete/abstract and sequential/random preferences.
To gain the most insight, take 3-5 different learning style assessments. Compare results to identify your primary and secondary styles.
Remember that learning styles are flexible, not fixed. Your blend of styles may evolve over time as you develop new skills and preferences. Periodically re-taking assessments can provide updated self-knowledge.
Applying Learning Styles
Once you understand your natural learning preferences, leverage them to optimize your education, training and career:
For Students
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Use study strategies that align with your dominant learning style(s).
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When learning difficult material, try studying through your less natural but still developed style(s). This strengthens alternative brain pathways for deeper understanding.
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Meet with professors to explain your learning preferences. Ask for accommodations like visual aids with lectures or written instructions for labs.
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Form study groups with others who have complementary learning styles. Teach each other through your natural approaches.
For Adult Learners
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Select skill-building courses and training programs that suit your learning preferences.
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If the instruction method doesn’t match your style, supplement with alternative materials in your style. For example, pair an audio lecture with a transcript.
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Request accommodations from employers and training programs, like hands-on apprenticeships or group discussions.
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Join professional organizations aligned with your learning preferences, like Toastmasters for verbal learners.
For Educators and Employers
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Assess the learning styles of your students or team. Tailor instruction methods accordingly.
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Design lessons, training programs and professional development to include all learning styles. Appeal to auditory, visual, verbal, kinesthetic, logical, social and solitary preferences.
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Encourage collaboration between colleagues with complementary learning styles.
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Allow employees to demonstrate new competencies through projects match their dominant styles.
The Takeaway
We each bring unique and equally valid learning preferences to the table. Becoming aware of your own dominant style(s) allows you to self-advocate and maximize your potential. It also helps you appreciate how colleagues, employees, students or children with different learning needs see the world. When we embrace all styles of thinking and knowing, we gain deeper wisdom both individually and collectively.
What Are Learning Styles?
Learning styles are preferences for different methods of understanding and retaining information. Theories about learning styles date back to the ’70s, and many models of learning styles exist.
In this article and learning style quiz, we’ll focus on only one of those models: the VARK model that Neil Fleming and Colleen Mills proposed in 1992. Fleming and Mills’ model includes four learning styles:
- Visual: A preference to learn via graphs, charts, flow charts, and other diagrams
- Aural: A preference to learn by hearing information spoken in lectures and discussions
- Read/Write: A preference to learn from information printed in words
- Kinesthetic: A preference to learn through experience or practical examples
According to the VARK model, people who favor two or more modalities equally or don’t clearly prefer any of them are multimodal.
What Is My Learning Style? Quiz
Curious about your learning style? Take the learning style quiz below and sign up to find out which learning style you prefer and which study strategies are compatible with that style. 1. Youre working at a coffee shop as a barista. You need to do twenty different things to close up shop at the end of a closing shift. How would you remember all of them?
>>MORE: Take our “What Should I Go to College For?” quiz to learn what major could be right for you.
Discover Your Learning Style
Do you know your learning style?
That’s because everybody learns differently. In order to find a study method that’s best for you, it’s important to know your learning style. Watch the video below to learn more about different learning styles. The four main learning styles are visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic (or hands-on).
What is your learning style?
It may depend on your individual learning style. Your learning style influences the way you understand information and solve problems. There are three primary learning styles: Many people use a combination of learning styles, whereas others learn best by using just one. Want to know your learning style?
What are the different learning styles?
Watch the video below to learn more about different learning styles. The four main learning styles are visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic (or hands-on). For most people, one of these methods will work best, but it’s also possible for a combination of different styles to be effective. What’s your learning style?
How do I find out my learning style?
To discover your learning style, you can take an online assessment, like the VARK Questionnaire. After answering the multiple-choice questions, you’ll receive your results. If the assessment’s results don’t feel right, you can also observe yourself and your previous learning experiences to get an idea of how you learn best.
