Thorndike’s

Theory of
Learning
 Edward
Thorndike 1

Edward Thorndike was a prominent American 2

psychologist who contributed significantly to the
development of behavioral psychology. His influential 3
work on learning and behavior set the foundation for
modern educational psychology and animal behavior
research.
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Stimulus Response 1
2
Theory of Learning 3
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 This theory attempts to explain the ways
that human beings behave. Thorndike believed
that all learning depended on the strength of the 1
relationship between the stimulus and response. If
2
that relationship was strong, the responses was
likely to occur. It's like our body's automatically 3
reply to the world around us.
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Example:
1
Touching a Hot Surface
(Stimulus) - Quickly pulling your 2
hand away. (Response)
3
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Trial and Error 1
2

Theory 3
4
 According to Thorndike learning takes place by trial
and error. Some people call it, “Learning by selection of the
1
successful variant,” accordingly when no ready-made solution
of a problem is available to the learner, he adopts the method of 2
trial and error. He first, tries one solution. If it does not help
him, he rejects it, then, he tries another and so on. In this way he 3
eliminates errors or irrelevant responses which do not serve the
purpose and finally discovers the correct solution. 4
 Trial and Error usually involves:

• A number of attempts and a number of errors before the

correct behaviour is learnt
• Motivation (to achieve a goal)
• Reward – the correct response is rewarded in which will lead
to repeat performance of the correct response, strengthening
the association between the behaviour and its outcome
• Exploration – either random or purposeful
• Once learnt behaviour will usually be performed quickly and
with fewer errors.
Features of Trial and 1
2
Error Learning 3
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• Learning by trial and error is a gradual process
• For learning to occur, the learner must be definitely
motivated
• The learner makes random and variable responses 1
• Some responses lead to the goal (satisfying responses)
2
• Some responses do not lead to the goal (annoying
responses 3
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Thorndike’s Law of
Learning
01 The Law of Readiness

1
The Law of Exercise
02 2
3
The Law of Effect 4
03
The Law of Readiness
• Also known as the “Law of
Action Tendency” 1
• Learning is most effective when 2
the learner is ready to learn and is
3
motivated to do so.
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The Law of Exercise

• Learning occurs through repetition and practice

• Drill and practice helps in increasing efficiency 1
and durability of learning 2
• Thorndike’s law of exercise is also referred to as
the “Law of Use and Disuse” 3
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Law of Use
When a modifiable connection is made/established connection
between the stimulus and response, that connection’s strength is
increased. This means that S-R connections strengthened by practice.
1
Law of Disuse 2
When a modifiable connection is not made between a stimulus
and response, during a length of time, that connection’s strength is
3
decreased. This means, any act that is not practiced for some time
gradually decays.
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The Law of Effect

• When a modifiable connection between

stimulus and response is made and is 1
accompanied by satisfying state of affairs, that 2
connection’s strength is increased. When it is
accompanied by an annoying state of affairs, its 3
strength is decreased. 4
• Learning can be said to have
taken place properly when its 1
results in satisfaction and the 2
learner derives pleasure from 3
it.
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 Educational Implications
 Thorndike’s theory emphasizes the relationship between the stimulus
and response.
 Learning takes place by trial and error.
 Importance of motivation in learner. 1
 It stresses the importance of mental readiness, meaningful practice,
and incentives in learning process. 2
 The law of readiness implies that the teacher should prepare the mind
of the students. 3
 Review of learning materials in order to maintain learning connection
in longer period. 4
 Law of effect give importance to motivation and reinforcement.
Thank You!
Therese Bernadeth Baña
1
2
John Lloyd Basa
Rica Demetrio 3
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