Which theory emphasizes the learner as a "passive participant" or "blank state"?

The theory that emphasizes the learner as a "passive participant" or "blank slate" is behaviorism. This approach posits that learning occurs through interactions with the environment and emphasizes observable behaviors. It assumes that individuals learn by responding to external stimuli, and their experiences are shaped largely by reinforcement and punishment.

In behaviorism, learners are seen as passive recipients of knowledge rather than active constructors of it. Their behaviors can be conditioned through systematic reinforcement, resulting in learning that is measurable and objective. This understanding contrasts with other theories, such as constructivism, which sees the learner as an active participant who constructs knowledge through experiences, or cognitivism, which focuses on internal mental processes. Humanism, on the other hand, places emphasis on personal growth and the learner's perspective, further diverging from the passive role attributed to learners in behaviorism.