The three learning domains
Learning objectives are written in one of three domains, and the verb shows which. The cognitive domain concerns knowledge and thinking (state, list, describe, explain). The affective domain concerns attitudes, feelings, and values (value, express, choose, accept). The psychomotor domain concerns physical skills (demonstrate, perform, measure). Value is an affective verb, because it describes the learner's attitude toward a behavior rather than her knowledge or skill. For this client, an affective objective might state that she will express the value of taking her levothyroxine every day.
| Domain | Focus | Example verbs | Example objective for this client |
|---|
| Cognitive | Knowledge | List, state, describe, explain | State the time to take levothyroxine |
| Affective | Attitudes and values | Value, express, choose, accept | Express the value of daily treatment |
| Psychomotor | Skills | Demonstrate, perform, fill | Demonstrate filling a pill organizer |
Why the domain matters
Choosing the right verb lets the nurse match the teaching method and the evaluation to the domain. Cognitive objectives are taught with explanation and written materials and evaluated by questions or teach-back. Affective objectives are addressed through discussion, sharing experiences, and exploring feelings, and evaluated by observing statements and choices. Psychomotor objectives are taught by demonstration and practice and evaluated by return demonstration. A plan that addresses all three domains supports lasting behavior change, since a client may know how to take a tablet yet not value doing it every day.
Why the other verbs are wrong
Demonstrate is a psychomotor verb, used for skills such as filling a pill organizer. List is a cognitive verb at the level of recall. Describe is also cognitive, at the level of understanding. None of these describes an attitude.
Watch out! Verbs such as understand, know, and appreciate are vague and hard to measure. In exam items asking for the affective domain, look for verbs about attitudes and choices, such as value, express, accept, or choose.
Exam takeaway
Key point! Cognitive equals knowing, affective equals valuing, psychomotor equals doing; value is the affective verb.