Benjamin Bloom
Educational psychologist who developed Bloom's taxonomy and mastery learning.
Benjamin Samuel Bloom (February 21, 1913 – September 13, 1999) was an American educational psychologist and didactician who made contributions to the classification of educational objectives and to the theory of mastery learning. He has greatly influenced the practices and philosophies of educators around the world from the latter part of the twentieth century. Perhaps his most significant contribution to the field of education was developing a comprehensive system of describing, assessing and classifying educational outcomes, now known as Bloom's taxonomy.
- born
- February 21, 1913
- died
- September 13, 1999
- field
- Educational psychology, didactics
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Bloom's taxonomy, mastery learning, Bloom's 2 Sigma Problem
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Bloom was born in Lansford, Pennsylvania, to an immigrant Jewish family whose parents fled a climate of discrimination in Russia. He received a bachelor's degree from Pennsylvania State University in 1935 and a master's degree from Penn State, also in 1935. He received a doctorate from the University of Chicago in 1942 and joined its faculty in 1944. From 1965–1966, he served as president of the American Educational Research Association. In 1956, Bloom edited the first volume of The Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: The Classification of Educational Goals, which classified learning objectives according to a rubric that has come to be known as Bloom's taxonomy. It was one of the first attempts to systematically classify levels of cognitive functioning and gave structure to the otherwise amorphous mental processes of gifted students. Bloom's taxonomy remains a foundation of the academic profession according to the 1981 survey, 'Significant Writings That Have Influenced the Curriculum: 1906–81' by Harold G. Shane and the National Society for the Study of Education. Bloom's 2 Sigma Problem is also attributed to him. Bloom conducted research on student achievement, observing factors within and outside the school environment that affect how children learn. He hypothesized that if teachers adapted their teaching methods to individual needs, more children would receive the opportunity to learn better, leading to the creation of Bloom's Mastery Learning procedure. This procedure required teachers to organize skills and concepts into instructional units approximately 1–2 weeks in length, with assessments providing constructive feedback, corrective assignments for those lacking understanding, and enrichment activities for students showing mastery. Bloom also directed a research team that evaluated and elucidated the process of developing exceptional talents. In the article 'The Role of Gifts and Markers in the Development of Talent' (1982), 70 individuals known as among the best in their field—mathematicians, Olympic swimmers, and concert pianists—were interviewed, along with their parents, teachers, and other significant persons. The three main characteristics frequently shared were willingness to work, competitiveness, and ability to learn new techniques. The study noted that parents' belief in their children as talented led to an environment allowing growth through hiring teachers/tutors, opportunities in competitions and events, and overall encouragement.
Reader's Guide
Benjamin Bloom's work fundamentally shaped educational theory and practice. His taxonomy of educational objectives provided a structured framework for educators to describe, assess, and classify learning outcomes, becoming a foundation of the academic profession according to the 1981 survey by Harold G. Shane and the National Society for the Study of Education. The taxonomy remains widely used in curriculum design and assessment. Bloom's Mastery Learning procedure introduced a systematic approach to individualized instruction, hypothesizing that adapting teaching methods to student needs could improve learning opportunities for all children. The procedure required teachers to organize skills into instructional units of 1–2 weeks, with assessments providing constructive feedback, corrective assignments for students who lacked understanding of major concepts, and enrichment activities for those who showed mastery. His research on talent development, including the 1982 study of 70 eminent individuals—mathematicians, Olympic swimmers, and concert pianists—highlighted the role of environmental factors such as parental encouragement and markers like perceived giftedness in fostering exceptional achievement. Bloom's contributions, including the 2 Sigma Problem, continue to influence educational research and practice, emphasizing the potential for all students to achieve high levels of learning under appropriate conditions.
Did You Know?
- Bloom received both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Pennsylvania State University in 1935.
- He served as president of the American Educational Research Association from 1965 to 1966.
- Bloom's taxonomy was one of the first attempts to systematically classify levels of cognitive functioning.
- In the 1982 study 'The Role of Gifts and Markers in the Development of Talent,' 70 individuals including mathematicians, Olympic swimmers, and concert pianists were interviewed.
- Bloom's Mastery Learning procedure requires teachers to organize skills into instructional units of approximately 1–2 weeks in length.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Benjamin Bloom?
Benjamin Samuel Bloom (1913–1999) was an American educational psychologist and didactician who reshaped how educators think about learning outcomes. He is best remembered for creating a hierarchical framework for classifying educational objectives and for advancing the concept of mastery learning.
What is Bloom's taxonomy?
Bloom's taxonomy is a hierarchical system Bloom developed for categorizing educational objectives into levels of cognitive complexity, ranging from basic recall up through analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. It became a foundational tool for curriculum design, assessment, and instructional planning used by educators worldwide.
What is the 2 Sigma Problem?
The 2 Sigma Problem is a challenge Bloom identified in which one-on-one tutoring consistently outperforms traditional classroom instruction by roughly two standard deviations. He argued that the central difficulty in education is figuring out how to deliver that level of individualized attention at scale.
What is mastery learning?
Mastery learning is a pedagogical approach Bloom championed, in which students must demonstrate full competence on a topic before advancing to the next one. Rather than moving forward on a fixed schedule or grading on a curve, learners receive additional time and support until they truly master the material.
Why is Benjamin Bloom important to psychology and education?
Bloom's work fundamentally changed how teachers design curricula, write assessments, and think about what students are expected to learn. His taxonomy and mastery-learning ideas continue to underpin educational standards, classroom practice, and instructional research well into the twenty-first century.
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