- The document describes a core course on learning and teaching theories with a focus on behavioral theories. - It includes 10 essay questions to be answered over 3 hours, with each question worth 10 marks and a maximum of 600 words. - The key topics covered are the meaning of learning according to behaviorists, classical conditioning, Thorndike's law of effect, operant conditioning and shaping, social learning, and the basic assumptions and strengths/limitations of behavioral theories. - Thorndike's law of effect and trial-and-error learning are specifically discussed, using the example of a hungry cat learning to escape from a cage to get food.

1. I Year B.Ed - CORE 3
LEARNING AND TEACHING
Ms R SRIDEVI
Assistant Professor, Pedagogy of Mathematics,
Loyola College of Education
Chennai 34
UNIT III
BEHAVOURIAL THEORIES OF
LEARNING
Law of effect (Thorndike) / Trial
and Error of Method of Learning

2. The questions and allotment of marks
are as described below:
• Type of course : Full course
• Type of Questions : Essay type
• Questions : 10
• To answer : 7
• Marks : Each carries 10 marks
• Total marks : 70 ( 7 x 10 )
• Maximum word : 600 words / 5 sides
for each question
• Time : 3 hrs

3. Unit III
BEHAVOURIAL THEORIES OF LEARNING
• Learning : Meaning of Learning as defined by
behaviourists
• Classical Conditioning (Pavlov)
• Law of effect (Thorndike)
• Operant conditioning and shaping (Skinner)
• Social learning (Bandura)
• Basic assumptions of behavioural theory
• Strengths and Limitations.

4. LEARNING THEORIES
ASSOCIATION THEORIES
• S - R
FIELD THEORIES
• Cognitive

5. ASSOCIATION
THEOERY
THORNDIKE’S
TRIAL & ERROR
PAVLOV’S CLASSICAL
CONDITIONING
SKINNER’S OPERANT
CONDITIONING
WATSON’S
CONDITIONING
THEORY
FIELD
THEORY
KOHLER’S LEARNING
BY INSIGHT
BANDURA LEARNING
BY OBSERVATION

6. THORNDIKE’S
TRIAL AND ERROR METHOD

7. Edward Lee Thorndike,
Americal Psychologist
1874 - 1949

8. The hungry cat was put inside a cage.
Food – A piece of fish was kept outside the cage.

9. The cat made random movements like Jumping,
Hitting, Dashing and Pushing the bars.

10. After such trial and error activities, the cat
succeeded in pulling the string to open the door
and came out of the cage.

11. Every time when the cat came out of the cage, it
was again put inside the cage.

12. On subsequent trials, the cat took shorter and
shorter periods of time, and committed less and
less number of errors.

13. Finally, the cat learnt to come out easily by
pulling the loop of string.

14. FEATURES OF TRIAL AND ERROR
LEARNING
• With the increase in the number of trials,
random activities decrease.
• Learning by trial and error is gradual.
• There is learning when there is motive. (The cat
was hungry).
• The learner makes random and varied
responses (Cat claws, Scratches, Dashes and
Hits the cage).
• After several trial and error activities, the
learner attains the correct learning.

15. THORNDIKE’S
LAWS OF LEARNING

16. • Law of Readiness
Individuals learn the best when they are ready
to learn and understand the reason for
learning.

17. • Law of Exercise
Repetition is basic to learning; things most
often repeated are easily remembered

18. This law is seen in two perspective
• Law of Use
If we repeat things again and again we
remember things easily
• Law of Disuse
If we loose touch it is difficult to remember

19. • Law of Effect
Learning will always be much more effective
when a feeling of satisfaction accompanies
the process

20. SECONDARY LAWS
• Law of Multiple Response
If the individual wants to solve a puzzle he
responds in a variety of ways before arriving at
the correct response

21. • Law of Attitude
Attitude or Mental set leads to perform the
task well.

22. EDUCATIONAL
IMPLICATIONS