Principles of

Learning
Alvin Zalzos
III-19 BSE Social Science

Principles of Learning
The principles of learning provide additional

insight into what makes people learn most

effectively. The principles have been
discovered, tested, and used in practical
situations.
Edward Thorndike has developed the first

three laws and three more had been added

ever since.

Thorndikes First Three

Laws
Law of readiness implies the degree of

preparedness and eagerness to learn.

Law of exercise things that are most often

repeated are best remembered.

Law of effect based on the emotional reaction

and motivation of the student. Learning is

strengthened with pleasant or satisfying feeling
while unpleasant feelings tend to do otherwise.

The Additional Three

Laws
Law of primacy learning should be done

correctly for the first time since it is difficult to

unlearn or change an incorrectly learned
material.
Law of recency things that are most recently

learned are often best remembered.

Law of intensity the more intense something

is taught, the more likely it will be retained.

Three Major Schools of Learning

Behavioral Theory
Learning takes place when there is a change in

behavior.
Field and Gestalt Theory
Observational learning, imitation and modeling.

Cognitive Theory
Learning by thinking, reasoning and transferring.

Educational Implications
Learning by doing is a good advice.
One learns to do what one does.
The amount of reinforcement necessary for learning

is relative to the students needs and abilities.

The principle of readiness is related to the learners
stage of development and their previous learning.
The students self-concept and beliefs about their
abilities are essentially important.
Teachers should provide opportunities for meaning
and appropriate practice.

Educational Implications
Transfer of learning to new situations can be

horizontal (across subject matter) or vertical

(increased complexity of the same subject).
Learning should be goal-directed and focused.
Positive feedback, realistic praise, and
encouragement are motivating to the teaching
learning process.
Metacognition is an advanced cognitive process
whereby students apply learning strategies and
also helps them sense if they are learning or not.