Thorndike trial and

error theory
laws/principles of
learning
By khubroo
 Edward LEE Thorndike

• Edward LEE Thorndike(1874-1949)is generally considered

to have been the foremost educational psychologist not only
of the united states but of the world.
• He contributed to research and theory in the field of
• learning and genetic psychology, testing and social
psychology
 Trial and Error theory
• According to Thorndike the basis of learning  is accepted in an
association between the sense, impressions and impulses to action.
• This Association came to be known as a “bond” or a ‘Connection.
because these bonds or connections play a major role in
strengthened or weakened or in the making and breaking of habits.
• Thorndike’s system is sometimes called a ‘bond’ psychology or
simple ‘connectionism,
• As it believes in stimulus and response type of learning it is also
called S.R Psychology of learning. Thorndike called it learning by
selecting and connecting. It is also known as Trial and Error
theory as learning takes place through random repetitions.
 Experiment of Thorndike’s -Trial
and Error Theory
• Thorndike formulated his theory based on the experiment
conducted on his cat in the puzzle box. The door of the box
could be opened by pulling the strings inside the box. A fish
was kept outside the box. The cat could come outside only
when it opens the door by pulling the strings. The cat did not
know how to pull the strings at first but was involved in
random activities like scratching the box, trying to bend the
bars and stretching the feet outside. At last in its random
activities, it pull the strings and obtained the fish. He repeated
the experiments and found that the cat pull the strings itself
easily few seconds after it was placed in the box.The random
activities are called errors.
 Laws of Learning: Trial and Error

• Thorndike gives three laws of learning

• Law of Readiness
• Law of Effect
• Law of Exercise
1. law of Readiness

Individuals learn best when they are physically, mentally

and emotionally ready to learn, and they do not learn
well if they see no reason for learning.

This law is also known

law of motivation or
Law of preparedness or
Law of action tendency
2. Law of Exercise

• Things most often repeated are best remembered.

• Students do not learn complex task in a single session
For example
1. Mathematics needs practice
2. Speaking and language requires practice
3. Skills like music, painting, typing etc. requires
practice
Sub laws of law of Exercise
1. Law of use: the learning are strengthened with
repeated trial or practice.
2. Law of disuse: learning are weakened when trial or
practice is discontinued.
3.Law of Effect

• Learning is strengthened when accompanied by a

pleasant or satisfying feeling.
• Learning is weakened when associated with
unpleasant feeling.
• Learning takes place properly when it results in
satisfaction and the learner derives pleasure out
of it .

This law is also known as pleasure pain law.

 Subordinate laws of learning
• Law of multiple response:
• During Learning, The individual should respond In a
multiple Way Because the individual Is unaware about The
succeed behavior.
• Law of partial response :
• We should repeat Only the succeed behavior And forgets
other.
• Law of attitude:
• During Learning our attitude must be positive.
• Law of analogy:
• If knowledge is very much similar to previous knowledge
then the individual learns easily.
• Law of associative shifting:
• when two are more than two Stimulus are presented
Simultaneously knowledge of any stimulus shifted to
others.
 Educational Implication of
Thorndike’s-Trial and Error Theory
• Thorndike’s Theory of trial and error and laws of learning have
great educational significance.
• This theory substantiated that readiness is preparation for
action which is very essential for learning. If the child is ready
to learn, he learns more quickly and effectively than if he is not
ready to learn.
• The law of effect emphasizes the role of rewards and
punishment in the process of learning. Getting a reward as a
result of some learning motivates and encourages the child
while the punishment of any sort discourages him and creates
distraction towards the learning.