Trainability: An Overview
Trainability, or the ability to be trained, is an important concept in the fields of psychology, education, and human resources. It is defined as “the capacity to acquire, retain, and use new information, skills, and behaviors” (Coe, 2007, p. 150). This article provides an overview of the concept of trainability, its theoretical underpinnings, and its implications for practice.
Theoretical Foundations of Trainability
Trainability is often associated with the idea of learning potential, which is typically defined as “the capabilities of an individual to learn given certain conditions” (Coe, 2007, p. 150). This concept has long been associated with the idea of cognitive ability, which is “the capacity to acquire and retain knowledge and skills” (Coe, 2007, p. 150). The idea of learning potential, then, is often used to refer to an individual’s capacity to learn and the potential for them to learn.
Trainability is also related to the concept of transfer of learning, which is “the ability to apply knowledge and skills acquired in one context to another context” (Coe, 2007, p. 151). This concept has been studied extensively, and research has shown that transfer of learning is greatly influenced by the individual’s ability to learn, the context in which the learning occurs, and the type of learning that occurs (Coe, 2007).
Implications for Practice
Trainability has important implications for practice, particularly in the areas of education and human resources. For example, in the field of education, it is important to consider the individual’s learning potential when designing curricula and instructional strategies. This is because certain individuals may have greater capacity to learn than others, and instructional strategies should be tailored to meet the individual’s learning potential.
In the field of human resources, trainability is also important to consider. This is because certain individuals may be more capable of adapting to new roles or learning new skills than others. Therefore, it is important for organizations to identify individuals with higher trainability in order to ensure that they are able to effectively train and retain their employees.
Conclusion
Trainability is an important concept in the fields of psychology, education, and human resources. It is related to the idea of learning potential and the concept of transfer of learning, and has important implications for practice. By understanding the concept of trainability and its implications, practitioners in these fields can better design curricula and identify individuals who are more likely to acquire and retain new knowledge and skills.
References
Coe, R. (2007). Learning and transfer: A general role-learning model. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.