The Use of Cognitive and Behavioral Learning Theories to Improve Leadership and Management Competence for Middle School Principals in Kuwait: A Field Study

Abstract

The paper examines whether principals’ use of cognitive and behavioral learning theories relates to stronger leadership and administrative competence in Kuwaiti middle schools. Using a descriptive-analytical survey of principals, it reports strong positive associations between learning-theory use and perceived competence, and it reports differences by academic qualification. It also presents an association between learning-theory use and students’ academic achievement and lists implementation challenges (training, time, support, resistance).