Honey & Mumford Learning Styles

Learn about yourself and your learning style

Every time we take on a new piece of work or find ourselves in a new situation we are learning new things. Learning is by no means restricted to the classroom. The way we learn, or our learning style, forms a key part of our personality, so we can find out a lot about ourselves – and others – by looking at learning preferences.

Honey and Mumford identified 4 key learning styles – the Activist,

the Theorist,

the Reflector and

the Pragmatist.

Honey & Mumford

The Activist

Is likely to get stuck in, tackle problems head-on, enjoy a challenge and live in the moment, get bored quickly.

What type of learning works for the Activist?
Learning through experience and activity, by generating ideas, and tackling challenges as part of a group.

What doesn’t work?
Passive learning, working alone, and the theory behind things.

Flat-packed furniture approach?
They’d probably just rip packaging straight off and get building.

Activists say things like:
I’ll do it. Let’s give it a try. Let’s just get started.

Honey & Mumford

The Reflector

Is likely to think about things carefully, take time coming to the right conclusion, listen before offering their opinion.

What type of learning works for the Reflector?
Observation and review, producing analysis and reports.

What doesn’t work?
Having no time to prepare or complete a task, being thrown in at the deep end, and being the centre of attention.

Flat-packed furniture approach?
Well, they’d probably read the instructions, have a coffee and a think about it, and ask someone else if they have done it before.

Reflectors say things like:
We need to look at this from every angle. I need time to get it right. It’s not as easy at that.

Honey & Mumford

The Theorist

Is likely to be detached, apply rational thinking, link together complex ideas to draw theories and conclusions.

What type of learning works for the Theorist?
Using their skills and knowledge in complex situations; concepts and ideas, a sense of structure; and the opportunity to question and explore.

What doesn’t work?
Doing things without knowing the concept, a lack of structure, emotional situations.

Flat-packed furniture approach?
The theorist will enjoy working out how to put the furniture together or be more concerned with how the item fits in to the room or the house.

Theorists say things like:
Let’s look at the bigger picture. Where does this fit in?

Honey & Mumford

The Pragmatist

Is likely to try things out, apply things to their role, and solve problems in a practical way.

What type of learning works for the Pragmatist?
Clear links between new learning and their job, the chance to practice, top tips, and models they can copy.

What doesn’t work?
Lack of guidance, no obvious benefit or payback to the learning.

Flat-packed furniture approach?
The pragmatist is likely to read the instructions, so long as they are useful, and get to work.

Pragmatists say things like:
What is the point? What is the problem, and What are we going to do about it?

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