This document summarizes three theories of learning: trial and error learning proposed by E.L. Thorndike, insightful learning proposed by Wolfgang Kohler, and conditional learning proposed by Ivan Pavlov and Sigmund Freud. It describes experiments conducted by Thorndike with cats in puzzle boxes, by Kohler with monkeys solving problems by gaining sudden insights, and by Pavlov conditioning dogs to salivate in response to stimuli. The document provides details of these classic experiments and the conclusions drawn about different types of learning.

1. Theories of learning
Presentation prepared by Abhishek Prasad
A3013820009
BPED -1st Semester

2. Theories of Learning
• Trial and Error - E.L Thorndike
• Insightful Learning - Wolfgang Kohlar
• Conditional Response - Pavlov and Sigmund Freud

3. Trial And Error
• Trial and error is a problem solving method in which multiple attempts are made to reach a
solution. It is a basic method of learning that essentially all organisms use to learn new
behaviours.
• Trial and error is trying a method, observing if it works, and if it doesn't trying a new method.
This process is repeated until success or a solution is reached.
• Edward Thorndike, a researcher who studied learning theory by using cats and a specially
made 'puzzle box.'
• He studied how cats learned to escape from the box and concluded it was through trial and
error. This was a shift from the theory of insight learning which proposes that problem solving
happens in a sudden flash of understanding rather than through trial and error.
Given by E.L Thorndike

4. Illustration of
Experimentation

5. Insightful Learning
• Wolfgang Köhler was a psychologist who conducted experiments in which insight
learning was observed in animal behaviour.
• Insight learning is a type of learning or problem solving that happens all-of-a-sudden
through understanding the relationships of various parts of a problem rather than
through trial and error.
• An experiment was conducted by Kohler to show the occurrence and importance of
perceptual organisation and insight in learning.
Given by Wolfgang Kohler

6. Insightful
Learning
• Kohlar kept a monkey (named Sultan)
hungry for some time, and then shut
him in a large cage.
• He hung bananas from the ceiling,
and kept a box on the floor of the
cage, fast beneath. The monkey could
not reach the banana. Another box
was put in a corner of the cage.
• But Sultan could not get the idea of
placing one box on the other and thus
reaching the banana. Ultimately
Kohlar gave demonstration of putting
one box on the other. Sultan could
now learn the whole situation. He
used his intelligence and insight to put
the two boxes one upon the other,
stand on these and then reach the
bananas.

7. Insightful Learning
• In another experiment Kohler kept two sticks in the cage. One end of the shorter sticks could be fitted in the
one end of the longer sticks, so as to make them longer. The monkey did not get the idea of forming the two
sticks through trial and error.
• When Kohlar gave a hint through putting his finger in the whole of the bigger stick, the monkey viewed the
whole situation and performed the right task through understanding the insight.

8. Conditional Learning
The major theorist in the development of classical conditioning is Ivan Pavlov, a Russian
scientist trained in biology and medicine (as was his German contemporary, Sigmund
Freud).
Conditioning Theory Pavlov was studying the digestive system of dogs and became
intrigued with his observation that dogs deprived of food began to salivate when one of
his assistants walked into the room. He began to investigate this phenomena and
established the laws of classical conditioning. Skinner renamed this type of learning
"respondent conditioning” since in this type of learning, one is responding to an
environmental antecedent.
Given by Ivan Pavlov and Sigmund Freud

9. Conditional Learning
Discovered by Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov, classical conditioning is a learning process
that occurs through associations between an environmental stimulus and a naturally
occurring stimulus.
Conditioning involves placing a neutral signal before a naturally occurring reflex. In Pavlov's
classic experiment with dogs, the neutral signal was the sound of a tone and the naturally
occurring reflex was salivating in response to food. By associating the neutral stimulus with
the environmental stimulus (food), the sound of the tone alone could produce the salivation
response.
Given by Ivan Pavlov and Sigmund Freud

10. Conditional
Learning

11. References
• Keiko Mizuno, OJT Trainee at University of St. La Salle GEC office
• https://perceptionaction.com/9-2
#:~:text=A%20learning%20curve%20is%20a,performance%20from%20week%20to%20week.
• https://images.wtmfiles.com/ChimpanzeeStackingBoxes_txtco_WEB_1146x770.jpg
• https://www.psychologydiscussion.net/learning/learning-theory/theory-of-learning-by-insight-
psychology/2513