Educ 505 Advanced Educational

Psychology
CFCST-Kidapawan
MAEDK-1B
July 18, 2021

REGINE B. LOPEZ
regine.lopez001@deped.gov.ph
 Educ 505 Advanced Educational Psychology

Association Connectionism
Theories
&
Thorndike's Learning Theories

REGINE B. LOPEZ
regine.lopez001@deped.gov.ph

Edward Lee Ted Thorndike
(31 August 1874 - 9 August 1949)  
American psychologist, who developed learning theory that lead to the
development of operant conditioning within behaviorism.
Edward Thorndike was an influential psychologist who is often referred to
as the founder of modern educational psychology. He was perhaps best-
known for his famous puzzle box experiments with cats which led to the
development of his law of effect.
Thorndike's principle suggests that responses immediately followed by
satisfaction will be more likely to recur. The law of effect also suggests that
behaviors followed by dissatisfaction or discomfort will become less likely
to occur.
EAR LY LI F E
Edward Thorndike was the son of a Methodist minister and grew up in
Massachusetts. While he was a very successful student, he initially disliked
his first psychology course. Like many other psychologists of his time,
Thorndike's interest in psychology grew after reading the classic book "The
Principles of Psychology" by William James.
 Association Connectionism Theories
Connectionism is a learning theory which is based on the concept of bonds formed
between stimulus and response i.e., natural connections between Situations
(S) and Responses (R) are formed and strengthened. The stimulus affects the
organism which responds to it. Thus, S-R bonds are formed which are considered
as physical conditions. 

This theory of learning is related to conditioning that utilizes the concept of

association of connection. It emphasizes that the behavior begins with conditioned
reflexes and natural responses and new behaviors result from the acquisition of
new bonds through experience. Thorndike formulated the major laws of
learning on basis of his belief in connectionism.
 Association Connectionism Theories
FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES
1.Learning involves both practice and a reward system (based upon the law of
effect).

2. Stimulus and response associations can be linked if they are part of the same
“action sequence” (based upon the law of readiness).

3. The transfer of knowledge and learning is based on situations that have been
previously experienced by the individual.

4. Intelligence is determined by how many of these associations have been learned

and/or acquired
The Puzzle Box
Thorndike's Learning Theories

LAW OF READINESS
LAW OF EXCERCISE
LAW OF EFFECT
 Thorndike's Learning Theories

LAW OF READINESS
A series or a set of responses can be linked together in order to achieve
a goal. If the person is prevented from achieving this goal, this will cause
“annoyance”.

Students learn best when they are physically, mentally

and emotionally ready to learn, and they do not learn well
if they see no reason for learning.
Thorndike's Learning Theories

LAW OF EXCERCISE
Connections become strengthened with practice and weakened when
practice is discontinued.

 Things most often repeated are best remembered by the

learners.
 Students do not learn complex task in a single session.
 Thorndike's Learning Theories

LAW OF EFFECT
An individual's response to a specific situation followed by a reward will
eventually make those responses stronger. Therefore, the responses
become habits when the individual is presented with that particular
situation again. Additionally, if a response deters an individual from
achieving a reward, or a “rewarding state”, then this response becomes
weaker.
 Thorndike's Learning Theories
3 Main factors of the Law of Effect
1. The law of effect is determined by consequence.

2. The law of recency requires that recurrence is determined by the most recent
response.

3. The law of exercise states that when a stimulus is administered upon

response, each subsequent response is strengthened.
Thorndike's Learning Theories
 Thorndike's Learning Theories
Additional five subordinate laws by Thorndike:

LAW OF MULTIPLE RESPONSE

LAW OF SET OR ATTITUDE

LAW OF PREPOTENCY OF ELEMENTS
LAW OF RESPONSE BY ANALOGY
LAW OF ASSOCIATIVE SHIFTING
 Thorndike's Learning Theories
Educational implications of the theory are the following:

1. The task can be started from the easier aspect towards its difficult aspect, which will help the children to
learn properly.

2. Trial and error method can be used in teaching.

3. Rewards and punishment affect the learning of the child.

4. Habits are formed as a result of repetition with the help of this theory the wrong habits can be modified
and good habits can be strengthened.

5. Practice is the main feature of trial and error method. It helps in reducing errors committed by children in
learning a concept.