How Emotions Affect Learning

How Emotions Affect Learning

by Brad Epsten, MS Social Work & Horizon Academy 

Emotions can have enormous affects on learning and help or hinder the development of a child and their success in school. Priscilla Vail, the late teacher and learning specialist described emotion as the "on-off switch to learning". "Anger, pessimism, and fear blow fuses, trip learning circuits," she wrote. "When the switch is off, learning is not possible."

The opposite is true for positive emotions. When we are joyful and hopeful we are more receptive and learning and memory are enhanced. When the switch is on, the pathway to learning is open.

A brief peek into the brain gives us a window into what is happening to cause our brain to work this way. The limbic system is in the middle part of the brain between the cortex and the brainstem. The brainstem sends sensory information to the cortex via the limbic system. Emotions are interpreted in the limbic system of the brain and affect behavior. A great deal of our learning takes place in the cortex and the memory process involves the limbic system.

Because the limbic system is the mediator between thought and feeling, it is easy to see why emotion is so crucial to making good decisions and thinking clearly. Emotions can disrupt thinking and learning. When we are happy, we have a "clear mind", but when we are upset we can't "think straight". Positive emotions such as joy, contentment, acceptance, trust and satisfaction can enhance learning. However, prolonged emotional distress can hamper our ability to learn. We have all experienced the difficulty with mental tasks or remembering something when we are anxious, angry, or depressed.

Emotions control how we interpret life and the resulting actions. These are influenced by the memories we have of our past interpretations. As these memories take hold, they build our beliefs and have a major impact on our emotions. Positive memories can build positive emotions, and therefore lead to a positive attitude toward learning. Conversely, negative memories or interpretations can lead to negative emotions and restrict the ability to learn. For instance, a student might have a history of not completing homework and associated conflicts with their parents and the school. Those memories will affect thoughts and emotions; and can create difficulty with current efforts on homework by thinking thoughts such as “I stink at homework…I’ll never finish…why should I try”.

Another way that emotions affect learning is through motivation. If we have negative emotions or thoughts toward something we will be less likely to put forth effort in that area. Fear of failure, disconnect between effort and results, and negative mental states including depression or anxiety can all lead to poor motivation. This in turn reinforces all of the negative thinking because low effort brings poor results and the pessimistic cycle begins to take over.

Anxiety can also take control over the learning process and limit one’s cognitive ability. Fear can build on itself and interrupt the thinking that is necessary to perform academically. This can take the form of test anxiety, fear of failure, social phobias, or generalized anxiety that leave only partial use of one’s intellectual capabilities.

Typically, children do not have the tools or strategies to break out of the negative cycle that affects their ability to learn. They need intervention from a trusted adult such as a parent, counselor, teacher, or other “safe” person. Rapport and trust need to be built to allow the child to accept help from another person. Sometimes a breakdown has to occur before they are willing to address the issues. Some of the following tips can be useful when assisting a child who is struggling with their emotions and/or attitudes that may be affecting their learning.

Ways To Help Children Manage Their Emotions

• Awareness of Emotions: Assist children in identifying their emotions. If they are not aware of them, it will be difficult to take any necessary corrective action.

• Managing our Emotions: Once we recognize our emotions we can do a better job of intervening to correct maladaptive behavior that can result from negative emotions. We can implement strategies to gain control of our emotions.

• Build in Reasonable Expectations: It is easy for a child to get overwhelmed when the workload seems insurmountable. If tasks are broken down to manageable pieces, success can be built on and foster positive regard.

• Play to Child’s Strengths: Nothing builds a child’s confidence and self esteem better than engaging in activities where they are competent. If you are having challenges finding that area, ask around, contact school staff, relatives or friends for assistance.

• Develop Social Competence: Many children do not acquire social skills as part of normal development. For some it is a much more rote process that has to be taught using many different modalities. Success in the social world will help with positive regard for oneself and positive emotions and feelings.