TITLE:
The Use of Cognitive and Behavioral Learning Theories to Improve Leadership and Management Competence for Middle School Principals in Kuwait: A Field Study
AUTHORS:
Falah Dhuwaihi Al-Swairi Al-Ajmi
KEYWORDS:
Cognitive Learning Theory, Behavioral Learning Theory, Leadership and Management Competence
JOURNAL NAME:
Creative Education,
Vol.17 No.3,
March
13,
2026
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).