Quiz

E.L. Thorndike's Theory of Learning (Connectionism Theory)

 Introduction:

·                Edward Lee Thorndike was an American psychologist.

·                Proposed the Theory of Connectionism, one of the earliest theories of learning.

·                Focused on trial-and-error learning and stimulus-response (S-R) connections.

·                His experiments mainly involved cats in puzzle boxes.

 

 Key Experiment: Puzzle Box

·                Thorndike placed a hungry cat inside a puzzle box with food outside.

·                The cat tried different movements (random/trial-and-error) until it accidentally opened the door.

·                On repeated trials, the cat learned to open the box faster.

·                This formed the basis of his learning theory.

 

Laws of Learning (Fundamental Laws)

1. Law of Readiness:

·                Learning occurs when a learner is ready (motivated).

·                If a person is ready to learn, doing so is satisfying.

·                If not ready, forced learning leads to annoyance.

2. Law of Exercise (Use and Disuse):

·                Repetition strengthens the connection (S-R bond).

·                Lack of use weakens the bond.

·                “Practice makes perfect” applies here.

3. Law of Effect:

·                Responses followed by satisfying consequences are more likely to be repeated.

·                Responses followed by annoying consequences are less likely to recur.

·                Foundation for reinforcement in modern psychology.

 

Secondary (Supplementary) Laws

1.            Law of Multiple Response:

o                 Organism tries multiple responses before finding the correct one (trial and error).

2.            Law of Set or Attitude:

o                 Learner’s mindset, background, and readiness affect learning.

3.            Law of Prepotency of Elements:

o                 Learner focuses on significant elements, ignoring the irrelevant.

4.            Law of Response by Analogy:

o                 Learner responds to new situations using responses from similar past experiences.

5.            Law of Associative Shifting:

o                 A response can be shifted from one stimulus to another through gradual association.

 

Characteristics of Thorndike’s Theory

·                Mechanistic: Learning is mechanical via stimulus-response.

·                Empirical: Based on scientific experiments.

·                Trial-and-Error is central to learning.

·                Lays the foundation for Behaviorism.

·                Applicable in animal and human learning.

 

Educational Implications

·                Reinforcement and rewards help strengthen learning.

·                Repetition (practice) is essential.

·                Motivation is crucial (Readiness).

·                Importance of gradual learning.

·                Useful in skill-based training, habit formation, and discipline.

 

Criticisms

·                Ignores insightful learning (Köhler).

·                Focuses more on animals, less on human cognition.

·                Does not account for creative or higher-order thinking.

 

Key Terms

Term	Explanation
Connectionism	Learning as forming connections between stimuli and responses
Stimulus-Response (S-R)	Basis of Thorndike’s theory
Reinforcement	Reward that strengthens the S-R connection
Trial-and-Error	Learner tries various responses till the right one works

 

MCQs on Thorndike’s Learning Theory

1.            Who proposed the theory of Connectionism?
A. B.F. Skinner
B. Ivan Pavlov
C. Edward Thorndike
D. Jean Piaget
 Answer: C. Edward Thorndike

2.            Thorndike’s theory of learning is also known as:
A. Operant Conditioning
B. Classical Conditioning
C. Insight Learning
D. Trial and Error Learning
 Answer: D. Trial and Error Learning

3.            Which experiment is associated with Thorndike’s theory?
A. Dog and bell experiment
B. Puzzle box with cat
C. Monkey and banana experiment
D. Rat in maze experiment
 Answer: B. Puzzle box with cat

4.            Which of the following is not one of Thorndike’s original three laws of learning?
A. Law of Effect
B. Law of Readiness
C. Law of Reinforcement
D. Law of Exercise
Answer: C. Law of Reinforcement

5.            According to the Law of Effect, a response followed by a satisfying consequence will be:
A. Ignored
B. Repeated
C. Weakened
D. Suppressed
 Answer: B. Repeated

6.            What does the Law of Readiness emphasize?
A. Reward after response
B. Practice of response
C. Motivation and preparedness to learn
D. Association of ideas
 Answer: C. Motivation and preparedness to learn

7.            The Law of Exercise supports which learning principle?
A. One-trial learning
B. Practice makes perfect
C. Insightful learning
D. Learning through imitation
 Answer: B. Practice makes perfect

8.            Which of the following best describes Thorndike’s learning model?
A. Cognitive
B. Humanistic
C. Stimulus-Response
D. Constructivist
 Answer: C. Stimulus-Response

9.            The concept of "trial and error" is most closely related to:
A. Pavlov
B. Kohler
C. Skinner
D. Thorndike
Answer: D. Thorndike

10.        Which supplementary law allows a person to transfer learning from one situation to a similar one?
A. Law of Analogy
B. Law of Readiness
C. Law of Multiple Response
D. Law of Response by Analogy
 Answer: D. Law of Response by Analogy

11.        Which law says that only the relevant part of the stimulus is learned?
A. Law of Disuse
B. Law of Prepotency of Elements
C. Law of Multiple Response
D. Law of Attitude
 Answer: B. Law of Prepotency of Elements

12.        Thorndike's theory laid the foundation for:
A. Constructivism
B. Behaviorism
C. Cognitivism
D. Psychoanalysis
 Answer: B. Behaviorism

13.        What weakens the S-R bond according to Thorndike?
A. Satisfying outcome
B. Practice
C. Lack of use (Disuse)
D. Repetition
 Answer: C. Lack of use (Disuse)

14.        Which law is associated with mental and physical readiness to learn?
A. Law of Set
B. Law of Readiness
C. Law of Use
D. Law of Shift
 Answer: B. Law of Readiness

15.        One criticism of Thorndike's theory is that it:
A. Is not based on experiments
B. Emphasizes creativity
C. Ignores cognitive processes
D. Applies only to adults
Answer: C. Ignores cognitive processes

 

 

B.F. Skinner’s Theory of Operant Conditioning

 Introduction:

·                B.F. Skinner (1904–1990) was an American psychologist and behaviorist.

·                Proposed the Operant Conditioning Theory – a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior.

·                Focused on voluntary behaviors and how they are influenced by consequences.

 

Key Experiment: Skinner Box

·                Skinner used a “Skinner Box” (also called Operant Conditioning Chamber) with a rat or pigeon.

·                When the rat pressed a lever, it received food (reward), which increased the behavior.

·                Showed that behavior is strengthened or weakened based on its consequences.

 

Key Concepts

Term	Meaning
Operant Behavior	Voluntary behavior influenced by consequences
Reinforcement	A process that strengthens the behavior
Punishment	A process that weakens or suppresses the behavior
Skinner Box	Experimental device to study operant conditioning in animals

 

Types of Reinforcement

1. Positive Reinforcement:

·                Giving a reward to encourage behavior.

·                E.g., giving candy to a child for doing homework.

2. Negative Reinforcement:

·                Removing an unpleasant stimulus to encourage behavior.

·                E.g., turning off a loud alarm when seatbelt is fastened.

 

Types of Punishment

1. Positive Punishment:

·                Adding an unpleasant consequence to reduce a behavior.

·                E.g., scolding a student for talking in class.

2. Negative Punishment:

·                Taking away something pleasant to reduce behavior.

·                E.g., removing TV privileges for not doing homework.

 

Reinforcement Schedules

Type	Explanation
Fixed Ratio	Reward after a fixed number of responses (e.g., every 5th response)
Variable Ratio	Reward after a random number of responses (e.g., gambling)
Fixed Interval	Reward after a fixed time (e.g., salary after every month)
Variable Interval	Reward after varying time intervals (e.g., surprise quizzes)

 

 Shaping

·                Teaching complex behavior by reinforcing small steps toward the final goal.

·                Also known as Successive Approximation.

·                E.g., teaching a dog to roll over by rewarding small parts of the behavior gradually.

 

 Educational Implications

·                Use of positive reinforcement (praise, rewards) improves student motivation.

·                Unwanted behavior can be controlled through appropriate punishment.

·                Useful in behavior modification programs, especially for students with special needs.

·                Emphasizes individualized learning and behavior tracking.

 

Comparison: Thorndike vs. Skinner

Thorndike	Skinner
Trial and Error	Operant Conditioning
Based on Law of Effect	Developed concept of reinforcement
Focused on animal learning	Applied to both animal and human behavior
Emphasized connection (S-R)	Emphasized consequences

 

 Criticisms of Skinner’s Theory

·                Ignores mental processes (thoughts, feelings, reasoning).

·                Too mechanical and deterministic.

·                Focuses only on observable behavior, not internal understanding.

·                Less suitable for explaining creative or insight-based learning.

 

 Keywords to Remember

·                Operant Conditioning

·                Reinforcement (Positive/Negative)

·                Punishment (Positive/Negative)

·                Skinner Box

·                Shaping

·                Reinforcement Schedules

 

MCQs on Skinner's Theory of Operant Conditioning

1.            Who developed the theory of Operant Conditioning?
A. Ivan Pavlov
B. Edward Thorndike
C. B.F. Skinner
D. Albert Bandura
 Answer: C. B.F. Skinner

2.            The term “Operant” in operant conditioning refers to:
A. Involuntary reflex
B. Conditioned stimulus
C. Voluntary behavior
D. Mental processing
 Answer: C. Voluntary behavior

3.            Which device did Skinner use in his experiments?
A. Puzzle Box
B. Mirror Box
C. Skinner Box
D. Watson Box
 Answer: C. Skinner Box

4.            In positive reinforcement, behavior is strengthened by:
A. Removing an unpleasant stimulus
B. Adding a pleasant stimulus
C. Ignoring the behavior
D. Punishing the behavior
 Answer: B. Adding a pleasant stimulus

5.            Negative reinforcement involves:
A. Giving punishment
B. Adding unpleasant stimulus
C. Removing a pleasant stimulus
D. Removing an unpleasant stimulus
 Answer: D. Removing an unpleasant stimulus

6.            Which of the following is an example of positive punishment?
A. Giving praise after correct answer
B. Removing TV for misbehavior
C. Giving extra homework for being late
D. Allowing early leave for good work
 Answer: C. Giving extra homework for being late

7.            Skinner’s theory emphasizes the role of:
A. Insight
B. Reinforcement
C. Association
D. Conditioning of reflexes
 Answer: B. Reinforcement

8.            Shaping is a process of learning through:
A. Trial and error
B. Imitation
C. Step-by-step reinforcement
D. Observation
 Answer: C. Step-by-step reinforcement

9.            A reward given after a fixed number of responses is a:
A. Fixed interval schedule
B. Variable ratio schedule
C. Fixed ratio schedule
D. Continuous reinforcement
 Answer: C. Fixed ratio schedule

10.        Which schedule is most resistant to extinction?
A. Fixed interval
B. Variable interval
C. Variable ratio
D. Fixed ratio
 Answer: C. Variable ratio

11.        Which type of reinforcement schedule is used in gambling?
A. Fixed interval
B. Variable ratio
C. Fixed ratio
D. Continuous
 Answer: B. Variable ratio

12.        Which one is an example of negative punishment?
A. Giving reward for good behavior
B. Removing freedom for bad behavior
C. Ignoring behavior
D. Giving scolding
 Answer: B. Removing freedom for bad behavior

13.        Skinner’s theory focuses on:
A. Involuntary responses
B. Mental imagery
C. Observable behavior
D. Cognitive restructuring
 Answer: C. Observable behavior

14.        Which is not a reinforcement schedule?
A. Fixed interval
B. Variable stimulus
C. Variable interval
D. Fixed ratio
 Answer: B. Variable stimulus

15.        The goal of reinforcement is to:
A. Eliminate a behavior
B. Decrease behavior
C. Strengthen behavior
D. Replace behavior
 Answer: C. Strengthen behavior

16.        Which of these best defines shaping?
A. Learning by imitation
B. Conditioning through reflexes
C. Gradually reinforcing closer approximations to the desired behavior
D. Ignoring undesired behaviors
 Answer: C. Gradually reinforcing closer approximations to the desired behavior

17.        What is continuous reinforcement?
A. Giving a reward after some time
B. Giving reinforcement for every correct response
C. Giving no reinforcement
D. Giving punishment continuously
 Answer: B. Giving reinforcement for every correct response

18.        In a Skinner box, pressing a lever to get food is an example of:
A. Negative punishment
B. Classical conditioning
C. Positive reinforcement
D. Fixed interval
 Answer: C. Positive reinforcement

19.        Operant conditioning is also known as:
A. Classical conditioning
B. Learning by insight
C. Instrumental learning
D. Social learning
 Answer: C. Instrumental learning

20.        Which of the following best describes negative reinforcement?
A. Adding something to weaken a behavior
B. Removing something to strengthen a behavior
C. Ignoring a behavior
D. Repeating a behavior without reward
 Answer: B. Removing something to strengthen a behavior

21.        Punishment aims to:
A. Increase behavior
B. Maintain behavior
C. Decrease behavior
D. Shape behavior
 Answer: C. Decrease behavior

22.        What is the main difference between reinforcement and punishment?
A. Reinforcement weakens behavior, punishment strengthens it
B. Punishment always involves pain
C. Reinforcement increases behavior, punishment decreases it
D. There is no difference
 Answer: C. Reinforcement increases behavior, punishment decreases it

23.        Skinner’s box primarily demonstrated:
A. Pavlovian conditioning
B. Insight learning
C. Operant behavior
D. Observational learning
 Answer: C. Operant behavior

24.        Which term is NOT directly associated with Skinner’s theory?
A. Reinforcement
B. Classical conditioning
C. Shaping
D. Behavior modification
 Answer: B. Classical conditioning

25.        Skinner’s theory can be best applied in:
A. Dream interpretation
B. Classroom discipline
C. Genetic research
D. Psychoanalysis
Answer: B. Classroom discipline