Introduction
Edward Thorndike, an American psychologist, is known for his work on learning theories. He developed the first formal theory of learning, known as the Connectionism Theory. He proposed several laws of learning based on experiments, especially his work with animals. These laws help explain how learning happens and how behavior is shaped.
Main Laws of Learning by Thorndike
Thorndike’s most important contributions are his three primary laws of learning, followed by some secondary laws.
1. Law of Readiness
This law suggests that a person learns better when they are mentally and physically prepared to learn. If the learner is not ready, the learning will be less effective or may even cause frustration.
Example: A child who is interested in drawing will learn faster than one who is not ready or willing to engage in it.
2. Law of Exercise
This law states that practice and repetition help in strengthening learning. The more an action is repeated, the stronger the learning connection becomes. However, if it is not practiced, the connection weakens.
- Use: Repetition strengthens learning.
- Disuse: Lack of practice weakens learning.
Example: Students who revise their lessons regularly remember them better than those who don’t.
3. Law of Effect
This is the most famous law. It says that if a response is followed by a pleasant outcome, it is more likely to be repeated. If it leads to an unpleasant outcome, it is less likely to be repeated.
Example: If a student gets praise for writing neatly, they are more likely to keep writing neatly in the future.
Other Laws (Secondary Laws)
Thorndike also proposed some additional laws to explain learning better.
4. Law of Multiple Response
Learners may try different responses until they find the correct one.
Example: A student trying to solve a puzzle will try different ways until they succeed.
5. Law of Set or Attitude
Learning is influenced by the learner’s mindset or attitude.
6. Law of Prepotency of Elements
Learners tend to focus on the most important aspects of a situation and ignore the irrelevant ones.
7. Law of Response by Analogy
Past experiences help in dealing with new but similar situations.
Example: Knowing how to ride a bicycle helps in learning how to ride a motorcycle.
Conclusion
Thorndike’s laws of learning laid the foundation for behaviorist learning theories. His ideas are still relevant in modern teaching, especially in classroom and distance education settings. By understanding these laws, teachers can design better instructional strategies that motivate, engage, and reinforce student learning effectively.