Final answer:
The theory that emphasizes a systematic approach to learning is behaviorism, which is rooted in measurable and observable behaviors and relies on empirical evidence. It has evolved to consider cognitive processes and is applied in education to design instructional methods based on observable responses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory that emphasizes a systematic approach to learning and instruction is behaviorism. Behaviorism is grounded in the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning, and it focuses on observable and measurable behaviors as opposed to internal thought processes or emotions.
Behaviorism applies the scientific method to study behavior, relying on empirical evidence and systematic observation. This makes it distinct from theories like psychodynamics, which link personality to less observable, internal processes. Behaviorism evolved over time to include cognitive aspects, reflecting how environmental stimuli can trigger behavior that appears to be automatic but may be influenced by internal thoughts or past conditioning.
An example of behaviorism's systematic approach is classical conditioning, where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus, eliciting a conditioned response. In education, this theory is applied to develop teaching strategies that build upon students' observable responses to stimuli, encouraging learning through reinforcement and repetition rather than focusing on memorization or abstract reasoning alone.