Thorndike’s Learning Theory

Edward Thorndike is a professor in psychology born in Massachusetts back in 1874. He is specifically famous for his studies in operant conditioning and connectionism within the laws of behaviorism. Thorndike discovered the close relationship between behavioral consequences and the learning process. 

This led to the Law of Effect which he used to illustrate observable learning behaviors in animals and later in human beings. He came to a conclusion that unpleasant behavioral consequences caused the subject to stop that behavior while a good reward encouraged the repeat of "the good" behavior. The ability to form different levels of connections defined intelligence according to Thorndike. It is for that reason that the professor worked extensively to find the connection between adult learning through applying the theory of connectionism. 

Edward Thorndike’s theory of learning was fundamentally divided into three laws. The law of readiness that posited that the readiness of the subject to learn motivated effective self driven learning; the law of exercise that showed the strengthening of connections through constant practice and repetition; the law of effect which showed the relationship between positive or negative rewards in motivating and strengthening the learning process.
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