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Honey and Mumford’s variation on the Kolb system
Various resources (including this one in the past) refer to the terms 'activist', 'reflector', 'theorist',
and 'pragmatist' (respectively representing the four key stages or learning steps) in seeking to
explain Kolb's model. In fact, 'activist', 'reflector', 'theorist', and 'pragmatist' are from a learning
styles model developed by Honey and Mumford, which although based on Kolb's work, is different.
Arguably therefore the terms 'activist', 'reflector', 'theorist', and 'pragmatist' effectively 'belong' to
the Honey and Mumford theory.
Peter Honey and Alan Mumford developed their learning styles system as a variation on the Kolb
model while working on a project for the Chloride corporation in the 1970's. Honey and Mumford
say of their system:
"Our description of the stages in the learning cycle originated from the work of David Kolb. Kolb
uses different words to describe the stages of the learning cycle and four learning styles..."
And, "...The similarities between his model and ours are greater than the differences.." (Honey &
Mumford)
In summary here are brief descriptions of the four H&M key stages/styles, which incidentally are
directly mutually corresponding and overlaid, as distinct from the Kolb model in which the learning
styles are a product of combinations of the learning cycle stages. The typical presentation of these
H&M styles and stages would be respectively at north, east, south and west on a circle or four-stage
cyclical flow diagram.
- 'Having an Experience' (stage 1), and Activists (style 1): 'here and now', gregarious, seek
challenge and immediate experience, open-minded, bored with implementation.
- 'Reviewing the Experience' (stage 2) and Reflectors (style 2): 'stand back', gather data, ponder
and analyse, delay reaching conclusions, listen before speaking, thoughtful.
- 'Concluding from the Experience' (stage 3) and Theorists (style 3): think things through in
logical steps, assimilate disparate facts into coherent theories, rationally objective, reject
subjectivity and flippancy.
- 'Planning the next steps' (stage 4) and Pragmatists (style 4): seek and try out new ideas,
practical, down-to-earth, enjoy problem solving and decision-making quickly, bored with long
discussions.
There is arguably a strong similarity between the Honey and Mumford styles/stages and the
corresponding Kolb learning styles:
Activist = Accommodating "doing and feeling"
Reflector = Diverging "feeling and watching"
Theorist = Assimilating "watching and thinking"
Pragmatist = Converging "doing and thinking"
You must be careful how you use systems and methods with others, and be careful how you assess
research and what it actually means to you for your own purposes.
On which point, Learning Styles theories such as Kolb's model and VAK are included here for very
broad purposes. Please consider these ideas and materials as part of a much wider range of
resources for self-development - for people young and old, for careers, work, life, business,
management, etc., and for teachers, trainers, managers and leaders helping others to improve and
develop in these situations.
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