Lesson 2 Thorndike's Connectionism
Lesson 2 Thorndike's Connectionism
( 3rd SLIDE)
The Law of Readiness
The Law of Exercise
The Law of Effect
(5th SLIDE)
The law of readiness is also used in sequencing topics. When students are ready to learn a particular action
in terms of developmental level or prior skill acquisition, then behaviors that foster this learning will be
rewarding. Meanwhile, when students are not ready to learn or do not possess prerequisite skills, then
attempting to learn is punishing and even becomes a waste of time.
( 6th SLIDE)
For Thorndike if one is not prepared to learn, then learning cannot be automatically instilled in him
( 7th SLIDE) The Law of Exercise
It suggests that drill or practice helps in increasing efficiency and durability of learning. Thorndike’s law of
exercise is also referred to as the “Law of Use and Disuse” The law of use means that the frequent
recurring of the response to a stimulus strengthens their connection. While, the law of disuse means that
when a response is not made to a stimulus, the connection’s strength is weakened or even forgotten.
( 8th SLIDE)
In the very words of Thorndike (1913), bonds between stimuli and responses are strengthened through
being exercised frequently, recently, and vigorously. Learners usually learn faster when they often apply a
certain skill and tend to forget when such a response does not recur over some time.
( 9th SLIDE)
Thorndike later revised the Law of Exercise. He confessed that by merely practicing, one does not bring
improvement in learning. Practicing, according to him is not sufficient. Hence the constant practice must
be followed by some reward or satisfaction to the learner.