Transcript Study Material for Students - II

Session – 2014-15
Subject - Psychology
Topic – Theories of Learning
Presented by :
Mrs. Punam Sahu
Asst. Prof.
Synopsis 
Introduction

Meaning of Learning

Definitions of Learning

Theories of Learning
 Associative Theories
 Fields Theories

Thorndike’s Trail & Error Theory

Conclusion
Introduction Learning is the most important topic of educational
Psychology. Much of the human behaviour depends upon
learning.
Learning is a fundamental process of life. without it,
life can not exist & no progress com take place learning is a
process of change not a product in the form of changed
behaviour.
Meaning of Learning Learning
means, “Exercise or experience help change in
behaviour”.
Definitions of Learning –
“Learning is a process of progressive behaviour adaptation”.
- Skinner
“Learning is the acquisition of habits, knowledge & attitudes”.
- Crow & Crow
“Learning is the modification of behaviour through experience &
training”
- Gates & Others
Theories of Learning
Theories of Learning
Connectionist
Theories/Associative Theories
(S-R)
(a) Pavlov’s
Cognitive Theories/Field
theories
(S-O-R)
classical
conditioning Theory
(b) Thorndike’s
trial
&
Operant
Conditioning Theory
(d) Hull’s Reinforcement
Theory
or
Insight
Theory
Error or Bond Theory
(c) Skinner’s
(a) Gestall
(b) Kurt-Lewin’s
Theory
(c) Tolman’s Theory
Field
Pavlov’s Classical Conditioning Theory 
This theory was Propounded by the famous Russain Psychologist, I.V.
Pavlov in 1904.

This theory is concerned with Physiology & the strong supporters of
this theory are behaviorists.

According to behaviorists, “Learning is habit formation resulting from
conditioning”.
Meaning of Theory This is learning from the behavriouristic viewpoint according to
this viewpoint learning is “formation of conditioned reflexes” or “a habit
formation”, so that behaviour may become automatic.
-
Conditioned learning actually means responding normally by a
natural response to an unnatural situation.
For example, we have watering of the mouth seeing a ‘Gulab
Jamun’.
Experiment –
The Russian Psychologist Ivan Pavlov experimental for long on
dogs to study how the stimuli & responses are associated with different
types of the stimuli of bell.
 In his experiment, he took a dog, kept him in a room & repeatedly
gave the ringing of the bell, as a stimulus, soon followel by food (Piece
of meat) which led to salivation.
 Bell & food were presented in a sequence over a number of times
(about seven days) & at every trail there was salivation, because there
was food seen or smell soon after the ringing of the bell.
 A stage reached when ringing of the bell led to normal salivation even
when there was no food supplied.
Food
Salivation
Bell
A schematic diagram of the procedure is as under –
Before Training (Conditioning)
1. Bell (CS) Training – (Head turning cocking of errs)
2. Bell (CS) & Meat Poweder (UCS) – Salivation (UCR)
After training
3. Bell (CS) – Salivation (CR)
Education Implications 1.
This theory is helpful in developing different types of aptitudes in
children.
2. Good habits can be developed in children on the basis of conditioned
response theory.
3. The spirit of discipline can be inculcated in children with the help of
this theory.
4. The teacher can use this theory to conduct teaching work keeping the
individual differences of the children in mind.
5. The teacher can also use this theory for eradicating children’s fear etc.
6. Theornadike’s Trial & Error Theory OR S-R bond Theory.
Thorndike’s Trail & Error Theory OR S-R
Bond Theory Meaning of Theory In 1913, Thorndike’s Propounded an important law of learning.
This law of Thorndike is called by several names, such as trail & Error
Theory, S-R Theory & Bond Theory
According to thorndike, the learning process completes in the
person’s brain.
-
Thorndike has written – “Learning is connecting The mind is
man’s connection system”.
Experiment of Thorndike Thorndike conducted several experiments to prove his law. In one
experiment, he caged a hungry cat. The door of the cage could be opened
by pressing a letter. A piece of fish was kept outside the cage in the form of
stimulus which could be clearly seen by the cat. Seeing the piece of fish,
the cat started its responses.
-
It trial to come out of the cage for a long time. By chance its paw
fell on the lever & the door opened. Now the food kept outside was
accessible to it. This experiment was repeated by Thondike several
times.
-
Finally a time came when the cat was able to open the door of the
cage without having to make any error.
-
Under this law, Thorndike’s law of trial & error given the greatest
significance.
Characteristic Features Trail & Error Theory 1. Motive – The individual has gat certain motives, goal, purpose or
discomfort etc & therefore he reacts.
2. Responses – Many responses are made to the situation.
3. Elimination of response – More elimination of unsuccessful or
wrong form of response/activity.
4. Integration of response – Finally there is integration &
establishment of responses by which goal is achieved or purpose is
fulfilled.
Educational Implication 1.
Students should be motivated or get them ready for learning a
particular task.
2. Sufficient Practice is required to get the mastery over the work.
3. Teacher should use various motivation techniques e.g., rewards &
reinforcement techniques for better results.
Skinner’s Theory of Operant Conditioning Meaning of theory –
The theory of operant conditioning was propounded by B.F.
Skinner.
Types of Responses : Responses are of two types :
1. Elicited response and
2. Emitted response
Experiment of Skinner Education Implication -