Tolman's Sign Theory of Learning | Education 28/07/23, 11:59 AM

 Psychology Discussion

Tolman’s Sign
Theory of
Learning |
Education
Article Shared by

ADVERTISEMENTS:

Basis of Learning according to

Sign Theory Edward C. Tolman
(1886- 1959), like behaviourists
rejected the idea of introspection
as a method of studying human
behaviour. On the contrary, he
believed the objective method of
collecting data. He remarked
that we do not only respond to
https://www.psychologydiscussion.net/learning/learning-theory/tolmans-sign-theory-of-learning-education/2529# Page 1 of 11
Tolman's Sign Theory of Learning | Education 28/07/23, 11:59 AM

the stimulus but we act on

beliefs, and express attitudes.
Behaviour can be modified by
experience and training.

Tolman’s theory combines the

advantages of stimulus-response
theories and cognitive field
theories.

Tolman published his major

work entitled. Purposive
Behaviour in Animals and Men
(1932) and recorded the results
of his experiments. He revised
his theory in 1949. According to
the findings of these
experiments, the learner does
not reach the goal in fixed
sequence of movements but
changes his behaviour according
to the variation in conditions.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

https://www.psychologydiscussion.net/learning/learning-theory/tolmans-sign-theory-of-learning-education/2529# Page 2 of 11
Tolman's Sign Theory of Learning | Education 28/07/23, 11:59 AM

Tolman’s theory of learning is

known by several names such as
“sign significance theory”,
“expectancy theory”, “purposive
behaviourism” or simple “sign
theory”.

The main features of this

theory are as follows:

1. It accepts behaviourism
as basis:

Main characterstics of
behaviour are:

ADVERTISEMENTS:

https://www.psychologydiscussion.net/learning/learning-theory/tolmans-sign-theory-of-learning-education/2529# Page 3 of 11
Tolman's Sign Theory of Learning | Education 28/07/23, 11:59 AM

(a) Behaviour is goal-directed

i.e. it is purposive.

(b) Behaviour makes use of

environmental factors as means
for getting at the goal.

(c) Behaviour consists of the

formation of cognitive maps.

(d) The organism has a selective

preference for the “principle of
least effort”, for arriving at the
goal.

(e) Molar behaviour is docile.

2. According to Tolman, the

behaviour depends upon:

(a) The need system,

https://www.psychologydiscussion.net/learning/learning-theory/tolmans-sign-theory-of-learning-education/2529# Page 4 of 11
Tolman's Sign Theory of Learning | Education 28/07/23, 11:59 AM

(b) The belief value matrix, and

(c) The behaviour space.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

Aladdin Magic Carpet

Harry Potter Hedwig Frozen 2 - Elsa
Ride Limited Edition

3. This theory takes into

consideration that learning is
based upon some signs or clues
leading to the goal. The
organism learns not the
movement patterns, but the
sign-significative relations.

Educational Implications:

Typical Learning Problems:

Capacity:

Start Planning Your Future Now with SBI Life's

The learning of a task depends
ULIP Plan
upon the capacity of theSBIlearner.
Life Insurance | Sponsored

Read Next Story

https://www.psychologydiscussion.net/learning/learning-theory/tolmans-sign-theory-of-learning-education/2529# Page 5 of 11
Tolman's Sign Theory of Learning | Education 28/07/23, 11:59 AM

Read Next Story

Practice:

Tolman believes that practice or

exercise cannot help the learner
in the initial selection of a right
response. Mere frequency
without belongingness does not
establish a connection.

Motivation:
The Average
Greta Thunberg's
IQ in Car
India
Shocks
is 81. Check
The World,
if your
Proof
IQ isIn
Pictures
higher
Motivation does not help
WW in
investing.com
IQ Test | Sponsored
| Sponsored

learning something new. It Read Next Story

simply encourages the

performance as such.

Understanding:

Tolman believes in learning by

creative inference, inventive
ideation and so on. Insightful
learning is emphasized.

Transfer:

Transfer of training depends

upon applicability of the
essential relationship perceived
by the learner in one situation to
some other situation.

Forgetting:
https://www.psychologydiscussion.net/learning/learning-theory/tolmans-sign-theory-of-learning-education/2529# Page 6 of 11
Tolman's Sign Theory of Learning | Education 28/07/23, 11:59 AM

Repression and ratio-active

inhibition cause forgetting
Tolman attributes forgetting to
the resistance of cathexis
(relationship between a drive
and object) also.

Laws of Learning:

Tolman stated the following

laws of learning:

1. Law of Capacity:

This relates to traits,

characteristics and aptitudes of
the learner which determine
type of tasks and situations
which can be mastered
successfully.

2. Law of Stimulus:

It deals with conditions inherent

in the material itself such as
belongingness of its parts and
how successfully it leads to
insightful solution.

3. Law of Manner:

It is concerned with the manner

https://www.psychologydiscussion.net/learning/learning-theory/tolmans-sign-theory-of-learning-education/2529# Page 7 of 11
Tolman's Sign Theory of Learning | Education 28/07/23, 11:59 AM

of presentation of material such

as frequency of presentation,
distribution of practice and use
of rewards.

You May Like Sponsored Links by Taboola

The Average IQ in India is 81. Check

if your IQ is higher
WW IQ Test

Start Planning Your Future Now with

SBI Life's ULIP Plan
SBI Life Insurance

Greta Thunberg's Car Shocks The

World, Proof In Pictures
investing.com

Joint Pain Relief

NVEDA Shop Now

Make your investment better with 3

in 1 Multi Asset Allocation fund.
Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund

Her Blood Is Killing Her, & Her Poor

Mother Is Out Of Funds
Ketto

Secure your health

Niva Bupa Learn More

https://www.psychologydiscussion.net/learning/learning-theory/tolmans-sign-theory-of-learning-education/2529# Page 8 of 11
Tolman's Sign Theory of Learning | Education 28/07/23, 11:59 AM

Pioneering Ground-breaking
Transformation in Healthcare
Delivery
AWS for India Learn More

Home ›› Educational Psychology ›› Learning ››

Theories ›› Tolman's Sign Theory of Learning

Related Articles:
1. Theory of Learning by
Insight | Psychology
2. Learning by Cognition |
Process | Learning |
Psychology
3. Relationship Between
Education and Psychology
4. Lewin’s Field Theory of
Learning | Education

Welcome to
PsychologyDiscussi
on.net! Our mission
is to provide an
online platform to
help students to
discuss anything
and everything
about Psychology.
This website
includes study
notes, research
papers, essays,

https://www.psychologydiscussion.net/learning/learning-theory/tolmans-sign-theory-of-learning-education/2529# Page 9 of 11
Tolman's Sign Theory of Learning | Education 28/07/23, 11:59 AM

articles and other

allied information
submitted by
visitors like YOU.

Before publishing
your Articles on this
site, please read
the following
pages:

1. Content
Guidelines
2. Privacy Policy
3. TOS
4. Disclaimer
Copyright

Publish
Your
Article

LATEST

Leadership
Theories: Top 11
Theories of
Leadership

Theories of
Motivation in
Management: Top 7
Theories

Notes on Attitude:
Introduction,
Formation, Changes
and Measurement |
Psychology

Notes on
Socialization:
Introduction,
Culture, Structure,

https://www.psychologydiscussion.net/learning/learning-theory/tolmans-sign-theory-of-learning-education/2529# Page 10 of 11
Tolman's Sign Theory of Learning | Education 28/07/23, 11:59 AM

Status and Conflict |

Psychology

Difference between
Modern Family and
Traditional Family |
Psychology

ABOUT US

Publish Your
Article

Privacy Policy

Contact Us

SELECT
LANGUAGE

https://www.psychologydiscussion.net/learning/learning-theory/tolmans-sign-theory-of-learning-education/2529# Page 11 of 11