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Thorndike's Connectionism and Learning Laws

(1) Edward Thorndike was an American psychologist who developed the theory of connectionism based on his studies of animal behavior and the learning process. He believed that learning occurs through forming associations between stimuli and responses. (2) Thorndike proposed three "Laws of Learning": the Law of Readiness states that learners must be prepared physically, emotionally, and mentally before learning can occur; the Law of Exercise states that frequent practice strengthens connections between stimuli and responses; the Law of Effect states that learning is strengthened by satisfaction and weakened by annoyance to the learner. (3) Thorndike conducted experiments to measure student achievement and believed learning often occurs through trial and error of selecting and connecting stimuli to

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Judylyn Calusa Icaro
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408 views2 pages

Thorndike's Connectionism and Learning Laws

(1) Edward Thorndike was an American psychologist who developed the theory of connectionism based on his studies of animal behavior and the learning process. He believed that learning occurs through forming associations between stimuli and responses. (2) Thorndike proposed three "Laws of Learning": the Law of Readiness states that learners must be prepared physically, emotionally, and mentally before learning can occur; the Law of Exercise states that frequent practice strengthens connections between stimuli and responses; the Law of Effect states that learning is strengthened by satisfaction and weakened by annoyance to the learner. (3) Thorndike conducted experiments to measure student achievement and believed learning often occurs through trial and error of selecting and connecting stimuli to

Uploaded by

Judylyn Calusa Icaro
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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(1st SLIDE) LESSON 2: THORNDIKE’S CONNECTIONISM

(2nd SLIDE) EDWARD THORNDIKE


 American psychologist whose work on animal behavior and leaning process led to the theory of
connectionism. It is mainly concerned with the connection between the stimulus and response (S-R)
 One of the few psychologist who focused on education
 Thorndike used an experimental approach in measuring a student’s academic achievement. He
believed that forming associations or connections between sensory experiences and neural
impulses results in the prime type of learning. The neural impulses, called responses, are
behaviorally manifested. He believed that learning often occurs by trial and error ( selecting and
connecting)

( 3rd SLIDE)
 The Law of Readiness
 The Law of Exercise
 The Law of Effect

(4th SLIDE) The Law of Readiness


It states that if one is prepared to act, to do so is rewarding, and not to do is punishing. In short, before
learning commences, one must be physically, emotionally, mentally and psychologically prepared. This law
is illustrated when a learner knows the answer to a particular question, thus raising his or her hand. Calling
him or her to recite is rewarding. However, when the teacher calls on a student who does not know the
answer may be annoying on his or her part, thus weakening the bond of stimulus and response.

(5th SLIDE)
The law of readiness is also used in sequencing topics. When students are ready to learn a particular action
in terms of developmental level or prior skill acquisition, then behaviors that foster this learning will be
rewarding. Meanwhile, when students are not ready to learn or do not possess prerequisite skills, then
attempting to learn is punishing and even becomes a waste of time.

( 6th SLIDE)
For Thorndike if one is not prepared to learn, then learning cannot be automatically instilled in him
( 7th SLIDE) The Law of Exercise
It suggests that drill or practice helps in increasing efficiency and durability of learning. Thorndike’s law of
exercise is also referred to as the “Law of Use and Disuse” The law of use means that the frequent
recurring of the response to a stimulus strengthens their connection. While, the law of disuse means that
when a response is not made to a stimulus, the connection’s strength is weakened or even forgotten.
( 8th SLIDE)
In the very words of Thorndike (1913), bonds between stimuli and responses are strengthened through
being exercised frequently, recently, and vigorously. Learners usually learn faster when they often apply a
certain skill and tend to forget when such a response does not recur over some time.
( 9th SLIDE)
Thorndike later revised the Law of Exercise. He confessed that by merely practicing, one does not bring
improvement in learning. Practicing, according to him is not sufficient. Hence the constant practice must
be followed by some reward or satisfaction to the learner.

( 10th SLIDE) The Law of Effect


It states that learning is strengthened if it gives satisfaction to the learner. It is weakened if it gives
annoyance to the learner. Thus, Thorndike posited that satisfiers and annoyers are critical to learning.
This explains why teachers give favorable comments to students who show pleasant behavior in class;
when such ego-boosting comments satisfy the learners, the higher the chance that they will repeat such
behavior
( 11th SLIDE)
Other Laws of learning
( 12th SLIDE) The Law of Primacy
It implies that learning a concept or skill again is more difficult that the first time one has learned it. This
explains why teachers correct students who have misconceptions in a new lesson.

( 13th SLIDE) The Law of Intensity


Thorndike believed that exciting, immediate or even dramatic learning within the real context of the
students in real world applications of the skills and concepts makes them most likely to remember the
experience.
( 14th SLIDE) The Law of Recency
When learners are isolated in time from learning a new concept, the more difficult for them to remember.
For instance, in a foreign language class it is easier to recall and recite those which are learned minutes ago
than those which where taught the other month. This implies that teachers should facilitate learning by
providing the learners with a clear connection between the previous and current learning experience

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