PSYCHOLOGY OF TEACHING AND LEARNING ::TRIAL AND ERROR THEORY BY THORNDIKE

Trial and error theory are known as connectionism and S-R reinforcement theory. The American Psychologist Thorndike put forth this theory after conducting the experiments with animals.

Thorndike believes, learning is a connection between stimulus and response. It is a bond between S and R. The S-R connection is through trial and error and hence this process is called as Trial and error learning.

Thorndike explained this theory and he arrived at it after several experiments. According to him learning takes place through a process of approximation and correction. A person makes many trials, some responses do not give satisfaction to the individual, but he goes on making further trial till he gets satisfactory response.

Thorndike’s Experiment:

Thorndike performed an experiment with a cat. A hungry cat was kept in a cage. The cage can be opened by pulling a string. Infront of the cat was kept a piece of fish in a plate away from the cage. In order to eat, the cat did number of attempts to pull the strings or say random movements like jumping, hitting, dashing, pushing the bars. In order to reach the goal, the cat makes a number of responses to the situation, i.e. it makes a number of trials. Let the trials be R1, R2, R3, R4, etc. After such trial and errors, the cat succeeded. Every time the cat came out of the cage, it was put inside again. On subsequent trials, the cat took shorter periods of time, committed a smaller number of errors. Finally learning how to escape from the cage.

Features:

With increase in the number of trials, the random movements or activities decrease. Learning by trial and error is gradual. There is learning only if there in a motive (cat hungry). The learner makes random movements. Satisfying response become better learned as they lead to the attainment of goal. So, after several trial and error activities, the learner attains the correct learning.

Thorndike’s Laws of Learning:

Based on his experiment, he postulated three laws:

Law of Readiness: - Readiness is the preparedness of an organism in a certain manner. Readiness depends upon the maturation and experience of the learner.

Law of Exercise: - The law of exercise is known as the law of habit formation. The law implies the strengthening of S-R connection with practice. The effect of learning is improved by continued practice. This law has two sub-laws.

Law of use: - S-R connection is strengthened by practice.

Law of Disuse: - S-R connection weakens without practice.

Law of Effect: - The law explains the importance of effect or consequence in strengthening or weakening of the S-R connection. If the learner is satisfied, he gets stamped in. If not stamped out. Satisfying results strengthen the S-R bond. Thus, this law emphasises on the role of reward and punishment in the process of learning.

Subordinate Laws of Learning:

Law of Multiple Response: -According to it the organism varies or changes its response till an appropriate behaviour is hit upon. Without varying the responses, the correspondence for the solution might never be elicited. In new situation learner response in a variety of ways before arriving at correct response.

Law of Set/ Attitude: - Learning is guided by a total set or attitude of the organism, which determines not only what the person will do but what will satisfy or annoy him. The attitude leads to perform the task well.

Law of Prepotency of Elements: - According to this law, the learner reacts selectively to the important or essential in the situation and neglects the other features or elements which may be irrelevant or non- essential. The ability to deal with the essential or the relevant part of the situation, makes analytical and insightful learning possible. A learner makes sensitive responses in learning situation. 

Law of Response by Analogy: - According to this law, the individual makes use of old experiences or acquisitions while learning a new situation. There is a tendency to utilise common elements in the new situation as existed in a similar past situation. Most of the time new situations are tackled by past experiences.

Law of Associative Shifting: - According to this law we may get a response, of which a learner is capable, associated with any other situation to which he is sensitive. Thorndike illustrated this by the act of teaching a cat to stand up at a command. A fish was dangled before the cat while he said, ‘stand up’. After several trails by presenting the fish after uttering the command ‘stand up’, he later ousted the fish and the overall command of ‘stand up’ was found enough to evoke the response in the cat by standing up or her hind legs. Responses shift by situation.

 Educational Implications of Trial and Error Theory:

Trial and error learning are connected with motor learning. But it has also some implications for abstract thinking. Some of the school subjects that require abstract thinking like science and mathematics, are affected by this process. The pupils must make several unsuccessful attempts before he/she arrives at the desired result.

He/she should, therefore, be trained to make attempts over and over again, and without feeling bored off. Everything related to this process must be taken positively and with parental support so that things are done patiently for higher achievement.

Practice leads a man towards maturity. Practice is the main feature of trial and error method. Practice helps in reducing the errors committed by the child in learning any concept.

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

As parents and teachers, we must see to it that the future generation must make a solid slogan of ‘try, try again’ and ‘never to give up’. The children must be taught, it is ok to lose. Winning and losing are the parts of the journey of life. What is important is to live and learn. Life skills these days are very important for the overall growth of the children.

Before I end this month's blog..... 

The time for the celebration of the victory of the good over the evil has arrived. Let's continue the same spirit. 

Happy Dusshera!