Thorndike's Trial and Error Learning

 

Introduction:

Learning theories are very important in educational psychology. Through these theories, the learning method, quality and design of educational lessons can be improved. Among these, Edward Lee Thorndike's "Trial and Error" learning theory holds a great place. He developed this theory through experiments on animals. It is also known as "Stimulus-Response Theory". This theory of Thorndike explains how to solve the problem when any animal or human is faced with a problem.

Introduction to Thorndike:

L. Thorndike (1874–1949) was a famous American psychologist. He mainly studied animal behavior and learning methods. He was a professor at New York University. His major works are Animal Intelligence and Educational Psychology.

Concept of the Theory:

The main idea of ​​the trial and error theory is this: When a person or animal is faced with a new situation, it makes a number of attempts to figure out how to solve the problem. Many of these attempts may fail (a mistake), but some of them will succeed. Learning occurs when that successful attempt is repeated.

Thorndike's Cat Experiment:

To establish his theory, Thorndike brought a hungry cat into a box and put it in it. He called it a problem box for the cat. He placed a piece of fish outside the box so that the cat could see it. When a button was touched inside the box, the door of the box opened. The cat did not know this at first. The cat was eager to eat the fish. The cat fought the box very hard and struggled. When the button inside the box touched the cat's foot, the door opened. Then the fish ate the piece of fish, but the cat's hunger was not satisfied. He put the same cat in the box again and gave the same problem. When he tried again and again, the problem became less and less. The cat learned that it could only come out when it touched the button. This led to less errors and learning, but this is called trial-and-error learning.

Theoretical principles of the theory:

Thorndike formulated three important principles based on his theory:

1. Law of Readiness: Learning is easier when the student is in a state of mind to learn.

For children to learn effectively, the introduction to children should be mentally mature.

2. Law of Exercise: When the subject is repeatedly practiced, the essence of the learned material is revealed.

If we learn by trying, we will make fewer mistakes.

3. Law of Effect:

If we motivate, reward, and interest children to learn better, learning will become easier.

Conclusion:

Thorndike's trial and error theory is a very important theory in the field of education. The principles of this theory are useful in educational learning. Through this theory, we can understand the stages of change in the behavior of students. In this way, Thorndike's theory provides useful guidance for teachers.

If you have any questions or problems, please Introduction:

Learning theories are very important in educational psychology. Through these theories, the learning method, quality and design of educational lessons can be improved. Among these, Edward Lee Thorndike's "Trial and Error" learning theory holds a great place. He developed this theory through experiments on animals. It is also known as "Stimulus-Response Theory". This theory of Thorndike explains how to solve the problem when any animal or human is faced with a problem.

Introduction to Thorndike:

L. Thorndike (1874–1949) was a famous American psychologist. He mainly studied animal behavior and learning methods. He was a professor at New York University. His major works are Animal Intelligence and Educational Psychology.

Concept of the Theory:

The main idea of ​​the trial and error theory is this: When a person or animal is faced with a new situation, it makes a number of attempts to figure out how to solve the problem. Many of these attempts may fail (a mistake), but some of them will succeed. Learning occurs when that successful attempt is repeated.

Thorndike's Cat Experiment:

To establish his theory, Thorndike brought a hungry cat into a box and put it in it. He called it a problem box for the cat. He placed a piece of fish outside the box so that the cat could see it. When a button was touched inside the box, the door of the box opened. The cat did not know this at first. The cat was eager to eat the fish. The cat fought the box very hard and struggled. When the button inside the box touched the cat's foot, the door opened. Then the fish ate the piece of fish, but the cat's hunger was not satisfied. He put the same cat in the box again and gave the same problem. When he tried again and again, the problem became less and less. The cat learned that it could only come out when it touched the button. This led to less errors and learning, but this is called trial-and-error learning.

Theoretical principles of the theory:

Thorndike formulated three important principles based on his theory:

1. Law of Readiness: Learning is easier when the student is in a state of mind to learn.

For children to learn effectively, the introduction to children should be mentally mature.

2. Law of Exercise: When the subject is repeatedly practiced, the essence of the learned material is revealed.

If we learn by trying, we will make fewer mistakes.

3. Law of Effect:

If we motivate, reward, and interest children to learn better, learning will become easier.

Conclusion:

Thorndike's trial and error theory is a very important theory in the field of education. The principles of this theory are useful in educational learning. Through this theory, we can understand the stages of change in the behavior of students. In this way, Thorndike's theory provides useful guidance for teachers.

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