Discussion Of Thorndike Laws 1 2 3 
Thorndike’s Laws (Readiness, Exercise, Effects)
These three laws represent the first of many other laws, theories, and refinements put forth by Edward Thorndike. They are, in effect, behavioural learning theories that to this day remain basic laws, even though other theorists added or modified them. His work in 1911, though it started as the first laboratory study of animal learning, turns out to be extremely important and influential to modern day behavioural psychology. He proposed at that time the law of effect and the law of exercise. In later years his interest was mainly to apply his theory to education (1922), measurement of intelligence (1927), and adult learning (1928). The law of effect puts forward the position that those behavioural responses that were closely followed by a satisfying result were most likely to become established patterns and to occur again in response to the same stimulus. This actually appeals to the emotional aspect of the learner. If the result of the process of learning is rewarding, satisfying, and pleasant, then learning will be more effective. Alternately, if the experience gives the feeling of frustration, confusion, punishment, or defeat, then that learning is weakened. Thorndike also described this type of learning as instrumental conditioning because responses are strengthened when they are instrumental in producing rewards. The law of exercise originally stated that behaviour is strongly established through frequent connections of stimulus and response. It brings to mind the famous quote ‘practice makes progress.’ When things are done repeatedly, they enhance memory. If something is done once it is not easily remembered. The key is repetition. This informs us that in order to cement ideas, concepts, skills to our memory or simply for improvement, continuous practice is essential. Constant training in sport, and multiple revisions of subject matter in academics fit neatly into this theory. The law of
These three laws represent the first of many other laws, theories, and refinements put forth by Edward Thorndike. They are, in effect, behavioural learning theories that to this day remain basic laws, even though other theorists added or modified them. His work in 1911, though it started as the first laboratory study of animal learning, turns out to be extremely important and influential to modern day behavioural psychology. He proposed at that time the law of effect and the law of exercise. In later years his interest was mainly to apply his theory to education (1922), measurement of intelligence (1927), and adult learning (1928). The law of effect puts forward the position that those behavioural responses that were closely followed by a satisfying result were most likely to become established patterns and to occur again in response to the same stimulus. This actually appeals to the emotional aspect of the learner. If the result of the process of learning is rewarding, satisfying, and pleasant, then learning will be more effective. Alternately, if the experience gives the feeling of frustration, confusion, punishment, or defeat, then that learning is weakened. Thorndike also described this type of learning as instrumental conditioning because responses are strengthened when they are instrumental in producing rewards. The law of exercise originally stated that behaviour is strongly established through frequent connections of stimulus and response. It brings to mind the famous quote ‘practice makes progress.’ When things are done repeatedly, they enhance memory. If something is done once it is not easily remembered. The key is repetition. This informs us that in order to cement ideas, concepts, skills to our memory or simply for improvement, continuous practice is essential. Constant training in sport, and multiple revisions of subject matter in academics fit neatly into this theory. The law of
References: Bernstein, D.A., Penner, L.A. , Clarke-Stewart, A., & Roy, E.J. (2006) Psychology 7th edn. Lavallee, D. , Kremer, J. ,Moran, A.P., & Williams, M. (2004) Sport Psychology Contemporary Themes. Palgrave Macmillan http://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/connectionism.html http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/593342/Edward-L-Thorndike#ref253228