What are Edward Thorndike's primary contributions to the field of psychology?

Edward Thorndike is recognized as a foundational figure in psychology, particularly for his work in comparative psychology and the study of learning. He developed the theory of connectionism and established the law of effect, which significantly influenced the scientific basis of educational psychology and behaviorism.

When and where was Edward Thorndike born, and where did he spend most of his career?

Edward Thorndike was born on August 31, 1874, in Williamsburg, Massachusetts. He dedicated nearly his entire professional career to Teachers College, Columbia University, where he conducted much of his influential research.

What was the subject of Edward Thorndike's doctoral dissertation, and why was it considered groundbreaking?

Thorndike's doctoral dissertation, completed in 1898 at Columbia University, was titled "Animal Intelligence: An Experimental Study of the Associative Processes in Animals." It was groundbreaking because it was the first dissertation in psychology to use non-human subjects for its experimental research.

Who were Edward Thorndike's academic advisors during his graduate studies?

During his graduate studies, Edward Thorndike was advised by James McKeen Cattell for his PhD at Columbia University, and he also worked with William James at Harvard University, who influenced his early interest in animal learning.

What is Edward Thorndike's theory of connectionism?

Thorndike's theory of connectionism posits that learning occurs through the formation of connections or associations between stimuli and responses. These connections are strengthened when followed by a satisfying consequence and weakened when followed by an annoying one.

Describe the puzzle boxes Thorndike used in his animal intelligence experiments.

Thorndike's puzzle boxes were small, enclosed apparatuses, typically around 20 inches long, 15 inches wide, and 12 inches tall. They were designed with a mechanism, such as a lever or button, that, when activated by the animal, would open the door, allowing the animal to escape and receive a reward, usually food.

What did Thorndike's experiments with cats in puzzle boxes reveal about learning?

Thorndike's experiments showed that cats learned to escape the puzzle boxes through a process of trial and error. They would initially exhibit random behaviors, but over successive trials, the time taken to perform the correct action (like stepping on a lever) decreased, demonstrating a gradual learning curve rather than sudden insight.

What is Thorndike's 'law of effect'?

The law of effect, as proposed by Thorndike, states that behaviors followed by satisfying consequences are strengthened and thus more likely to recur, while behaviors followed by annoying consequences are weakened and less likely to recur. This principle suggests that the outcome of a behavior is crucial in shaping future actions.

How did Thorndike's law of effect influence educational practices?

In educational settings, Thorndike's law of effect led to the application of principles like using praise to reinforce desired student behaviors and employing planned ignoring to decrease undesired behaviors, based on the idea that consequences shape learning and conduct.

What were the three types of intelligence identified by Edward Thorndike?

Edward Thorndike identified three distinct types of intelligence: abstract intelligence, which involves processing and understanding concepts; mechanical intelligence, which relates to the ability to work with physical objects; and social intelligence, which pertains to effectively navigating and managing human interactions.

What was Thorndike's view on the age at which learning ability begins to decline?

Thorndike believed that the ability to learn remained relatively stable until around the age of 35, after which it declined gradually at a rate of approximately 1 percent per year.

What were the components of Thorndike's 'law of exercise'?

Thorndike's law of exercise comprised two parts: the law of use, which proposed that frequently used associations become stronger, and the law of disuse, which suggested that associations that are not used become weaker over time.

Did Thorndike later revise his initial learning laws, and if so, in what ways?

Yes, Thorndike revised his laws based on further research. He abandoned the law of exercise, finding practice alone did not necessarily strengthen associations, and modified the law of effect by concluding that positive reinforcement was more effective than punishment in shaping behavior.

What was Thorndike's stance on eugenics?

Edward Thorndike was a proponent of eugenics. He believed that selective breeding could improve human nature, enhancing capacities for learning, mental health, and ethical behavior, and advocated for actively shaping the genetic makeup of future generations.

How did Thorndike's work contribute to the establishment of educational psychology?

Thorndike's emphasis on empirical evidence, scientific methodology, and the application of learning theories to educational problems helped establish educational psychology as a distinct field. He advocated for using schooling to improve upon natural abilities rather than merely reflecting them.

What were Thorndike's beliefs regarding innate differences between men and women?

Thorndike believed that differences in behavior and mental activities between men and women were largely due to biological factors and innate instincts, rather than solely cultural influences. He cited examples like the 'nursing instinct' and a 'submission to mastery' instinct in women.

What were Thorndike's 'word books' and what was their purpose?

Thorndike authored several 'word books,' starting with 'The Teacher's Word Book' in 1921, followed by updated editions. These books listed words found most frequently in general reading materials, serving as a guide for teachers to prioritize vocabulary instruction and enhance students' word knowledge.

How did Thorndike's research influence later psychologists like B.F. Skinner?

Thorndike's foundational work, particularly his law of effect and focus on the consequences of behavior, provided a crucial starting point for later behaviorists like B.F. Skinner, who built upon these principles in developing operant conditioning.

In what year did Edward Thorndike serve as president of the American Psychological Association?

Edward Thorndike served as president of the American Psychological Association in 1912.

What did Thorndike's research on learning curves indicate about animal learning?

Thorndike's analysis of learning curves from his puzzle box experiments indicated that animals learned gradually through trial and error, showing a progressive decrease in escape time over successive trials, rather than demonstrating sudden insight.

What was the significance of Thorndike's 1898 dissertation in the field of psychology?

Thorndike's 1898 dissertation, "Animal Intelligence," was significant as it marked the first time a doctoral thesis in psychology focused on experimental studies using non-human subjects.

What was Thorndike's perspective on the role of schooling in relation to human nature?

Thorndike believed that formal schooling should aim to improve upon human nature, rather than merely reflecting or mirroring existing natural tendencies. He saw education as a tool for enhancement.

What is Thorndike's 'law of readiness'?

Thorndike's law of readiness posits that when a response is ready to occur, it is satisfying for the organism to do so, and when it is unready, it is annoying. This suggests that the state of readiness influences the learning process and the satisfaction derived from action.

Explain Thorndike's 'identical elements theory of transfer'.

Thorndike's identical elements theory of transfer suggests that the extent to which learning in one situation transfers to another is determined by the number of identical elements shared between the two situations. More shared elements lead to greater transfer of learning.

What was Thorndike's contribution to the field of psychometrics?

Thorndike contributed significantly to psychometrics, particularly with his 1904 book "Introduction to the Theory of Mental and Social Measurements," which laid groundwork for the scientific measurement of psychological attributes.

What was Thorndike's role in the development of the Army Beta test during World War I?

During World War I, Thorndike was involved in the creation of the Army Beta test, an assessment tool designed to evaluate the cognitive abilities of recruits who were illiterate, lacked formal schooling, or did not speak English.

What did Thorndike mean by 'associative shifting' in learning?

Associative shifting, according to Thorndike, is a learning process where a response initially associated with one stimulus is gradually shifted to be associated with a different stimulus through a series of intermediate steps.

How did Thorndike's work bridge the gap between different schools of psychological thought?

Thorndike's research, with its focus on empirical observation and measurable outcomes, served as a bridge between the earlier school of functionalism and the emerging field of behaviorism, particularly by emphasizing learning theory.

What was Thorndike's view on the importance of immediate satisfaction in learning?

Thorndike emphasized that for the law of effect to be most effective, the satisfying consequence following a behavior needed to occur immediately, ensuring the connection was properly reinforced.

What specific criticisms were directed at Thorndike's law of effect?

Criticisms of Thorndike's law of effect included questions about the retroactive nature of consequences, its philosophical implications, the precise identification of effective conditions for learning, and its overall applicability and usefulness as a universal principle.

What is Thorndike's 'law of recency'?

Thorndike's law of recency suggests that when learning occurs, the response that was most recently performed is the one most likely to be repeated in a similar situation.

How did Thorndike's 'identical elements theory of transfer' influence educational thought?

Thorndike's theory influenced educational thought by suggesting that curriculum designers should identify and emphasize common elements across different subjects to facilitate the transfer of learning and improve overall educational efficiency.

What academic honors and positions did Edward Thorndike hold during his career?

Edward Thorndike held significant positions, including president of the American Psychological Association (1912) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (1934). He was also elected as a Fellow of the American Statistical Association and admitted to the National Academy of Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

What was Thorndike's perspective on the 'teachable age'?

Thorndike believed that adults remained capable of learning throughout much of their adult lives, suggesting that significant decline in learning ability did not occur until around age 35.

What was the purpose of Thorndike's 'word books' for teachers?

Thorndike's word books were designed to assist teachers by providing lists of the most frequently occurring words in English reading materials, helping them to focus instruction on essential vocabulary to build students' knowledge effectively.

How did Thorndike's work contribute to the field of industrial personnel administration?

Thorndike's expertise in psychological measurement and testing influenced industrial personnel administration by providing methods for employee selection and evaluation.

What was Thorndike's view on the 'original nature' of humans in relation to learning and education?

Thorndike believed that humans possessed an 'original nature' comprising instincts and inherent tendencies, and that education's role was to improve upon this nature, rather than simply reflect it, to foster better learning and societal outcomes.

What did Thorndike mean by 'prepotency of elements' in learning?

Prepotency of elements, according to Thorndike, refers to a learner's ability to focus on and respond to the most significant aspects of a problem while filtering out irrelevant details, a key factor in effective problem-solving.

What specific criticism did Thorndike's puzzle box methodology face?

Thorndike's puzzle box methodology and his law of effect were subjected to criticism by behaviorists and other psychologists, particularly concerning the interpretation of results, the role of insight versus trial-and-error, and the broader implications of the law of effect.

What was Thorndike's view on the effectiveness of punishment versus reward in learning?

Through his later research, Thorndike concluded that positive reinforcement (rewards) was a more effective motivator for learning than punishment.

What is the 'halo effect', and how is it related to Thorndike's work?

The halo effect is a cognitive bias where a general impression influences specific judgments. It is listed in the 'See also' section of the article, suggesting a conceptual link to Thorndike's broader work on psychological measurement and individual differences, although the text does not detail his specific contributions to this concept.

What was Thorndike's perspective on the transfer of learning?

Thorndike's perspective on the transfer of learning was articulated in his 'identical elements theory,' which proposed that learning transfers between situations based on the similarity of their components.

What was the primary focus of Thorndike's research in comparative psychology?

Thorndike's primary focus in comparative psychology was to experimentally study the associative processes and learning mechanisms in animals, particularly through his work with puzzle boxes.

What did Thorndike's work on 'mental fatigue' investigate?

Thorndike's 1900 article on 'Mental Fatigue' contributed to the early psychological study of how mental exertion impacts performance and cognitive processes.

How did Thorndike's research influence the development of behaviorism?

Thorndike's emphasis on observable behavior, empirical data, and the role of consequences in learning laid crucial groundwork for the development of behaviorism as a major school of psychological thought.

What is Thorndike's 'law of availability'?

Thorndike's law of availability refers to the ease or accessibility with which a particular response can be performed or elicited by an individual.

Edward Thorndike Wiki: The Architect of Learning: Edward Thorndike's Psychological Foundations

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Pioneering Psychology

The Foundation

Edward Lee Thorndike (1874–1949) was a seminal American psychologist who spent nearly his entire career at Teachers College, Columbia University. His work laid the scientific groundwork for educational psychology, introducing foundational concepts in learning and behavior.

Animal Intelligence

Thorndike's doctoral dissertation, "Animal Intelligence," marked a significant shift by using non-human subjects for empirical study. His research explored associative processes in animals, leading to his influential "theory of connectionism."

The Law of Effect

Central to his work is the "law of effect," which posits that behaviors followed by satisfying consequences are more likely to be repeated, while those followed by annoying consequences are less likely. This principle profoundly influenced behaviorism.

Formative Years & Education

Academic Journey

Born in Williamsburg, Massachusetts, Thorndike hailed from a scholarly family, with both brothers becoming notable academics. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Wesleyan University, his Master of Arts from Harvard University, and his PhD from Columbia University, studying under James McKeen Cattell.

Mentorship

At Harvard, Thorndike was influenced by William James. His doctoral studies at Columbia placed him under the guidance of James McKeen Cattell, a key figure in psychometrics, further shaping his empirical approach to psychology.

Intellectual Colony

Early in his career, Thorndike fostered an intellectual community on land he purchased along the Hudson River, encouraging fellow researchers to settle nearby, establishing himself as a central figure in the burgeoning field.

Connectionism & Puzzle Boxes

Theory of Connectionism

Thorndike's connectionism proposed that learning occurs through the formation of associations (connections) between stimuli and responses. He rejected explanations based on insight or imitation, favoring a trial-and-error mechanism.

Experimental Apparatus

His famous experiments involved placing cats in specially designed "puzzle boxes." These boxes required specific actions, like pulling a lever or pressing a button, to open the door. Thorndike meticulously recorded the time it took for the cats to escape.

The puzzle boxes, approximately 20x15x12 inches, featured a mechanism where pulling a string or pressing a lever would release the door. Thorndike observed that cats, initially disoriented, would eventually perform the correct action by chance. He noted that repeated trials led to faster escape times, demonstrating a gradual learning curve rather than sudden insight.

Learning Curves

By plotting the escape times across multiple trials, Thorndike generated learning curves. These graphical representations showed a progressive decrease in time, illustrating the associative strengthening process central to his theory. He found species differences in learning speed but similar learning mechanisms.

The Law of Effect

Core Principle

Thorndike's Law of Effect states that responses leading to a satisfying state of affairs become more strongly associated with the situation and are more likely to recur. Conversely, responses leading to an annoying state of affairs are weakened.

Evolution of the Law

Initially, Thorndike considered both satisfaction from success and dissatisfaction from failure as equally important. However, later research, particularly with human subjects, led him to emphasize the greater efficacy of rewards over punishments. He also noted the importance of immediate reinforcement.

Influence on Behaviorism

This principle laid crucial groundwork for later behaviorist theories, most notably B.F. Skinner's operant conditioning. Skinner built upon Thorndike's ideas, refining the concepts of reinforcement and punishment.

Adult Learning & Measurement

Wartime Contributions

During World War I, Thorndike applied his expertise to military psychology, contributing to the development of the Army Beta test for recruits who were illiterate or non-English speakers, demonstrating the practical application of psychological measurement.

Cognitive Abilities

Thorndike identified three primary forms of intelligence: abstract intelligence (understanding concepts), mechanical intelligence (handling objects), and social intelligence (navigating human interactions). He also posited that the ability to learn does not significantly decline until around age 35.

Psychometrics

His work on "Mental and Social Measurements" was foundational in establishing psychometrics as a discipline. He championed the use of statistical methods to quantify psychological phenomena, influencing standardized testing and assessment.

Views on Eugenics

Advocating for Selective Breeding

Thorndike was a proponent of eugenics, believing that selective breeding could improve humanity's inherent capacities for learning, mental health, and ethical behavior. He argued that improving human nature was a more fundamental duty than improving external conditions.

"If it is our duty to improve the face of the world and human customs and traditions, so that men unborn may live in better conditions, it is doubly our duty to improve the original natures of these men themselves. For there is no surer means of improving the conditions of life."

He also stated, "It is a noble thing that human reason... can yet turn back to understand man's birth, survey his journey, chart and steer his future course, and free him from barriers without and defects within."

Societal Context

His views on eugenics, alongside beliefs about inherent differences in male and female behavior and intelligence, reflect the prevailing, though now widely discredited, scientific and social attitudes of his era. These aspects of his work have drawn significant criticism.

Impact on Education

Behavioral Approach

Thorndike championed a scientific, empirical approach to education, moving away from purely philosophical or introspective methods. He believed schooling should actively improve upon natural abilities, not merely reflect them.

Word Books & Instruction

He developed influential "word books," such as "The Teacher's Word Book," which cataloged frequently used words to guide reading instruction. His work emphasized the importance of reinforcing frequently encountered vocabulary.

Thorndike's word counts were based on analyses of diverse texts, including children's literature (e.g., Black Beauty, Little Women), standard literature (Shakespeare, Milton), and practical materials (cookbooks, mail-order catalogs). He advised teachers to use these lists to prioritize word instruction.

Classroom Strategies

His application of the law of effect led to practical classroom strategies like using praise to reinforce desired behaviors and planned ignoring to diminish undesired ones, principles that remain relevant in educational psychology.

Enduring Influence

Broad Impact

Thorndike's influence extended across numerous fields, including animal psychology, behaviorism, psychometrics, educational administration, military practices, and industrial personnel management. His research provided a foundational empirical basis for much of 20th-century psychology.

Shaping Future Psychologists

His work served as a critical starting point for various schools of psychological thought, including Gestalt psychology and conditioned reflex studies. Psychologists like B.F. Skinner and Clark Hull directly built upon his theories of learning and reinforcement.

Recognition

Thorndike received numerous accolades, including presidencies of the American Psychological Association and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and election to prestigious scientific academies, underscoring his significant contributions.

Criticisms & Revisions

Theoretical Critiques

Thorndike's connectionism faced criticism for being overly simplistic and reductionistic. Specific aspects of his law of effect, such as the mechanism of reinforcement and the role of punishment, were debated and refined by subsequent researchers.

Law of Exercise Revision

Thorndike himself revised his theories, notably denouncing his "law of exercise" (practice alone strengthens associations) and modifying the law of effect by concluding that punishment was less effective than reward in shaping behavior.

Social Controversies

His association with eugenics and his views on gender differences have been subject to significant criticism, particularly in light of modern ethical standards. This led to the renaming of Thorndike Hall at Teachers College, Columbia University, in 2020.

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References

Teachers College, Columbia University 2020.

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Edward Thorndike

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Pioneering Psychology 🧠

🎓 The Foundation

🐾 Animal Intelligence

⚖️ The Law of Effect

Formative Years & Education 📚

🏫 Academic Journey

🤝 Mentorship

🏡 Intellectual Colony

Connectionism & Puzzle Boxes 🧩

📦 Theory of Connectionism

🐈 Experimental Apparatus

📉 Learning Curves

The Law of Effect ⚖️

✅ Core Principle

🔄 Evolution of the Law

⭐ Influence on Behaviorism

Adult Learning & Measurement 📈

🎖️ Wartime Contributions

🧠 Cognitive Abilities

📊 Psychometrics

Views on Eugenics 📜

🧬 Advocating for Selective Breeding

⚠️ Societal Context

Impact on Education 🍎

🏫 Behavioral Approach

📚 Word Books & Instruction

👍 Classroom Strategies

Enduring Influence 💡

🌐 Broad Impact

🤝 Shaping Future Psychologists

🏆 Recognition

Criticisms & Revisions ⚠️

🤔 Theoretical Critiques

⚖️ Law of Exercise Revision

🏛️ Social Controversies

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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References

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Pioneering Psychology

The Foundation

Animal Intelligence

The Law of Effect

Formative Years & Education

Academic Journey

Mentorship

Intellectual Colony

Connectionism & Puzzle Boxes

Theory of Connectionism

Experimental Apparatus

Learning Curves

The Law of Effect

Core Principle

Evolution of the Law

Influence on Behaviorism

Adult Learning & Measurement

Wartime Contributions

Cognitive Abilities

Psychometrics

Views on Eugenics

Advocating for Selective Breeding

Societal Context

Impact on Education

Behavioral Approach

Word Books & Instruction

Classroom Strategies

Enduring Influence

Broad Impact

Shaping Future Psychologists

Recognition

Criticisms & Revisions

Theoretical Critiques

Law of Exercise Revision

Social Controversies

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice