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Behaviourist Learning Theory

Edward Thorndike developed behaviorist learning theory and the law of effect through experiments using puzzle boxes on cats. He found that behaviors followed by pleasant consequences are likely to be repeated, while behaviors followed by unpleasant consequences are not. Operant conditioning involves learning through the consequences of behaviors. Thorndike also proposed the law of exercise, which states that connections are strengthened through practice and weakened through disuse, especially when followed by rewards. Behaviorism defines learning as the acquisition of new behaviors based on environmental conditions.

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793 views10 pages

Behaviourist Learning Theory

Edward Thorndike developed behaviorist learning theory and the law of effect through experiments using puzzle boxes on cats. He found that behaviors followed by pleasant consequences are likely to be repeated, while behaviors followed by unpleasant consequences are not. Operant conditioning involves learning through the consequences of behaviors. Thorndike also proposed the law of exercise, which states that connections are strengthened through practice and weakened through disuse, especially when followed by rewards. Behaviorism defines learning as the acquisition of new behaviors based on environmental conditions.

Uploaded by

Cindy Tsen
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Behaviourist Learning Theory

Thorndike
Edward Thorndike
(1874 - 1949)
- "Fathers" of American
behaviorism
- learning theory that lead
to the development of
operant conditioning
within behaviorism (basis)
- operant conditioning
involves learning from the
consequences of our
behavior
McLeod, S. (2007). Edward Thorndike - Law of Effect | Simply Psychology. Simplypsychology.org. Retrieved 6
January 2018, from https://www.simplypsychology.org/edward-thorndike.html
Thorndike's Experiment
• Trial error learning (Thorndike's puzzle box)

• He then called the experiment law of effect


• Behavior theorists define learning as nothing more than the
acquisition of new behavior based on environmental
conditions.
• Laws of learning
• Law of effect
• Law of exercise
Law of effect
• A reward will strengthen that behaviour and a
punishment will weaken the behaviour, later
Thorndike added that rewards are more important
than punishment.
• Behavior that is followed by pleasant consequences is
likely to be repeated, and any behavior followed by
unpleasant consequences is likely to be stopped.
McLeod, S. (2007). Edward Thorndike - Law of Effect | Simply Psychology. Simplypsychology.org. Retrieved 6
January 2018, from https://www.simplypsychology.org/edward-thorndike.html
Law of exercise
• Relates to the strengthening connections through practice
and weakening other connections through disuse.
• Not simple practice but of practice followed by rewards.
Thus his Laws of Effect and Exercise are related (Richey,
Rita.,1986,p58).

Behaviourism. Mennta.hi.is. Retrieved 6 January 2018, from


http://mennta.hi.is/starfsfolk/solrunb/behavio.htm
Examples:
1. An instructor smiles and and calls you everytime you raise
your hand. Although you are fairly quiet in your other
classes, you find yourself raising your hand and speaking
up more and more frequent in this one.
2. Another instructors scowls at you as she hands back the
exam she has just corrected. You discovered that you have
gotten a D - on the exam, and you get an uncomfortable
feeling. The next time your instructor scowls at you, that
same feeling returns.
Implication in teaching
• Offer surprise rewards for good participation in class.
• Set a standards for reinforcement so that all students will
have a chance to be rewarded.
• Make sure the good students get compliments for their work
from time to time.
• Offer desired rewards for academic efforts

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