Honey Mumford Model

Honey and Mumford’s Learning Stages and Styles

The Honey Mumford Model is based on the Kolb learning styles, but with a few differences. It is basically the same as Kolb’s model, with just a few differences.

First, Peter Honey and Alan Mumford adapted David Kolb’s model to use in business.

Therefore, the stages in the cycle were renamed to accord with managerial experiences as they deal with problems and decision-making.

Learning Cycle

The typical depiction of these stages and styles would be respectively clockwise from 12 on a four-stage cyclical flow diagram.

The Honey & Mumford stages are:

Stage 1: having an experience

Stage 2: reviewing the experience

Stage 3: concluding from the experience

Stage 4: planning the next steps

Stage 1 – Having an Experience: this is the “here and now” stage. This involves seeking challenges and immediate experience, and being open-minded.

Stage 2 – Reviewing the Experience: this is the “stand back” stage. This involves gathering data, pondering, and analyzing.

Stage 3 – Concluding from the Experience: This is the “thinking things through” stage. This involves thinking in logical steps, assimilating facts into coherent theories, and being rationally objective.

Stage 4 – Planning the next steps: This is the “trying out new ideas” stage. This stage involves trying out new ideas, problem solving, and decision-making.

Four Resultant learning-styles

The four resultant learning-style types from the model are Activists, Reflectors, Theorists, and Pragmatists.

Style	Preference
Activists	want to learn by diving straight in to new experiences, and do not particularly like theory
Reflectors	like to stand back and gather information before coming to a conclusion
Theorists	want to fully understand the theory behind a subject before they feel comfortable with it
Pragmatists	want to see the practical use of what they’re learning, and want practical techniques