Theories of Learning
Learning is a relatively permanent change in behaviour that occurs as a result of experience or practice. Changes due to maturation, fatigue, illness or drugs are not learning. Theories of learning explain how this change happens. They fall into two broad families: Behaviourist (learning = S–R bonds) and Cognitive (learning = internal mental reorganisation).
Don't read this page — work through it. Each block asks you to commit to an answer before it tells you anything.
Start here: what do you already know?
Sort the theories by family
1. Trial & Error — Thorndike (Connectionism)
Learning occurs by forming connections (bonds) between a stimulus and a response through trial and error. Based on his cat–puzzle box experiment.
Thorndike's Laws of Learning:
| Law | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Law of Readiness | Learner must be mentally prepared to learn |
| Law of Exercise | Repetition/practice strengthens a bond (use & disuse) |
| Law of Effect | Responses followed by satisfaction are stamped in |
2. Classical Conditioning — Pavlov
Learning by association. Step through his dog–bell–food experiment one stage at a time — the whole theory is in the order of these four steps:
- Food (UCS) → salivation (UCR)
- Bell (Neutral) + Food → salivation
- After pairing: Bell alone (CS) → salivation (CR)
Key concepts: generalisation, discrimination, extinction, spontaneous recovery. Basis of emotional/attitude learning.
3. Operant Conditioning — Skinner
Learning through consequences. Behaviour followed by reinforcement is repeated; behaviour followed by punishment decreases. Based on the Skinner box (rat/lever).
| Type | Effect on behaviour |
|---|---|
| Positive reinforcement | Add pleasant stimulus → behaviour ↑ |
| Negative reinforcement | Remove unpleasant stimulus → behaviour ↑ |
| Punishment | Add unpleasant / remove pleasant → behaviour ↓ |
Skinner's ideas gave rise to programmed learning and teaching machines.
4. Insight Learning — Gestalt (Köhler)
Learning by sudden understanding of relationships (the "Aha!" moment), not trial and error. Köhler's chimpanzee (Sultan) experiments with sticks and boxes. The whole is perceived before the parts ("the whole is greater than the sum of its parts").
5. Social / Observational Learning — Bandura
Learning by observing and imitating models. Famous Bobo doll experiment. Four processes: Attention → Retention → Reproduction → Motivation. Bridges behaviourist and cognitive views.
Quick comparison
Pick a theory to see its full profile — or hit Compare to put any two side by side. Comparing Classical vs Operant is the single most common way this topic is examined.
| Theory | Theorist | Core idea | Experiment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trial & Error | Thorndike | S–R bonds | Cat / puzzle box |
| Classical conditioning | Pavlov | Association | Dog / bell |
| Operant conditioning | Skinner | Consequences | Rat / Skinner box |
| Insight | Köhler | Sudden grasp | Chimpanzee / sticks |
| Observational | Bandura | Imitation | Bobo doll |
The examiner's favourite is theorist ↔ experiment. Drill it until it's automatic:
Bandura's four processes must be recalled in order — arrange them:
Exam tip: Match theorist ↔ experiment ↔ core concept. "Law of Effect" (Thorndike) is the conceptual ancestor of Skinner's reinforcement.