Psychology unit 3

 Part 7

Theories of learning

1. Trial and error theory of learning

This theory was propagated by Edward Lee Thorndike, according to this theory; learning is nothing but the stamping in the correct responses and stamping out of the incorrect responses through trial and error.

Thorndike said that the following components or elements are involved in the process of learning.....

 Drive 

Goal

Barrier

Random attempts to overcome the barriers.

Selection of the correct responses.

Fixation of the correct responses.

Based on this theory, thorndike put forward the following laws of learning.....

1. The law of readiness

2. The law of exercise or practice

3. The law of multiple responses

4. The law of attitude

5. The law of associative shifting

Educational implication of thorndike theory.......

1. According to this theory , when a child is ready to learn , he learns more quickly and effectively. He warns the child should not be forced to learn when he is not ready and also not to miss any opportunity of providing the right learning experiences , when the child is ready to learn.

2. The task of the teacher is to motivate the students by arousing their attention , interest and curiosity so that they want to learn.

3. The teacher must try to strengthen the connection between the stimuli and responses , through repetition and practice.

4. The child must be provided with learning experience, which gives him a sense of satisfaction. The child must be suitable recorded as relevant to make learning effective.

5. The learner should try to see the similarities and dissimilarities between different kinds of responses to stimuli and by comparison, and try to apply I the learning from one situation to the the problem before arriving the correct one.

6. The learners should be encouraged to perform his task independently , he must try various solution to the the problem before arriving the correct one.

2. Theory of classical conditioning

Theory of classical conditioning was proposed by Ivan Pavlov , a Russian physiologist . Pavlov while studying the physiology of digestion , found that behaviour can be classical conditioned.

Classical conditioning

A type of learning, in which a neutral stimulus comes to bring about a response after it is paired with a stimulus that naturally bring about that response.

Neutral stimulus

Stimulus that before conditioning does not naturally bring about the response of interest.

Unconditioned stimulus

Response that is natural and needs no training.

Conditioned stimulus

A neutral stimulus that has been paired with  an unconditional stimulus ( UCS ) to bring about a response only by unconditional stimulus.

Conditioned response

A response that , after conditioning , a previously , neutral stimulus.

Extension

The decrease in frequency and eventual disappearance , of previously conditioned response ; one of the basic phenomena of learning.

Spontaneous recovery

The re - emergence of an extinguished conditioned response after a period of rest.

Pavlov theory has also been called type S conditioning to give the importance of stimulus. The theory of conditions as advocate by Pavlov, considers learning as habit formation and it is a stimulus - response learning  , where in place of a natural stimulus like food , water , sexual contact , is etc…@ and artificial stimulus like the sound of the well , sight of the light of a definite colour , etc… Can evoke a response when both the artificial  stimulus and natural stimulus are brought together several times , the learner  becomes conditioned to response to the situation.

Educational implication of classical conditioning theory

* Fear , love or hater towards a particular subject is created through conditioning.

* On the other hand , intresting and effective methodology in teaching along with sympathetic treatment can have a desirable impact on the students through the process of conditioning.

* The theory of classical conditioning emphasizes that the students should be exposed to positive stimuli in order to develop desirable habits ,  interests and attitudes in them.

* Condition can also be used to remove  unhealthy attitudes , superstitions , attitudes and fears from the mind of the students by exposing them to positive stimuli.