Major Theoretical Principles of Thorndike’s theory of learning:

Major Theoretical Principles of Thorndike’s theory of learning:

1. Learning involves trial and error or selection & connection:

Cat  stamp in and stamp out for correct  responses. Example False  attempts  made by  cat.

Selection  &  connection of proper responses to  connect or  associate them with adequate stimuli. Example: subsequent trials, cat tried  to avoid the erroneous moves &  to repeat the correct manner manipulating the latch.

2. Learning is  the result of formation of connections:

Connection in nervous system between stimuli & responses. Mind is man’s connection system. Association between sense, impression, impulse & action. This association is named as bond or connection. Association may be strengthen or weaken results in making or breaking habits. This type of association is known as connectionism or bondpsychology.

3. Learning is incremental, not insightful:

Learning performance depends on number of trials or opportunities. Increase in number of trials or practice performance gradually improves known as incremental performance. Such type of learning is called incremental learning. Example: solution of a problem does not strike the mind of the animal at once & the time an animal needs to find a solution to a problem depends upon the number of trials it gets to solve it.

4. Learning is direct, not mediated by ideas:

Learning is direct not mediated by ideas reasoning or thinking. Learning is simple mechanical phenomenon a process of establishing a simple connection between sensory stimuli & appropriate responses. Example: the cat does not look over the situation, much less think it over, and then decide what to do. It bursts out  at once into the activities helped by instincts & experiences.