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Who propounded the theory of trial and error?

Who propounded the theory of trial and error? Correct Answer Thorndike

E. L. Thorndike, an American psychologist, is known as the founder of modern educational psychology.

Key Points

  • Thorndike propounded 'Trial and Error Theory' which represents that learning is the result of associations forming between stimulus and responses.
  • "Mistakes teach individual" statement is based on 'Trial and Error Theory'.

B. F. Skinner:

  • an American psychologist, propounded the "Theory of Operant Conditioning" which is also known as "Instrumental Conditioning Theory". This theory refers to the learning process where learning takes place through rewarding a certain behavior or withholding reward for undesirable behavior.

Gestalt Theory of Learning (Learning by Wholes) or Learning by Insight states that perceptual phenomena are only experienced as wholes or Gestalts.

According to Lee Ross, "Plateaus of learning is a characteristic feature of the learning process indicating a period where no improvement in performance is made".

Hence, it becomes clear that Trail and error theory of learning was formulated by Thorndike.

 Additional InformationThorndike's Experiment

  • Thorndike formulated his theory, base on his experiments conducted on his cat in the puzzle box.
  • The door of the box could be opened by pulling the strings inside the box. A fish was kept outside.
  • The cat was tried to come out of the box by squeezing, jumping, biting, etc.
  • As the experiment was repeated several times the wrong movements decreased and in the end, the cat was able to open the door in a single trail.

Based on Trial and Error Learning Theory, Thorndike gave three primary laws of Learning:

  • Law of readiness: It refers to the degree of eagerness and inquisitiveness to learn something new.
  • Law of exercise: It is based on practice and drill to learn something for a long period.
  • Law of effect: It is based on motivation and reinforcement to make the learning experience pleasant for learners.

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