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Edward Thorndike: Learning Theory and Experimental Psychology

At a Glance

Title: Edward Thorndike: Learning Theory and Experimental Psychology

Total Categories: 5

Category Stats

  • Core Learning Theories: 12 flashcards, 30 questions
  • Experimental Research and Methodology: 7 flashcards, 12 questions
  • Intelligence and Cognitive Concepts: 9 flashcards, 20 questions
  • Educational Impact and Transfer of Learning: 10 flashcards, 14 questions
  • Biographical Context and Legacy: 10 flashcards, 14 questions

Total Stats

  • Total Flashcards: 48
  • True/False Questions: 47
  • Multiple Choice Questions: 43
  • Total Questions: 90

Instructions

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Study Guide: Edward Thorndike: Learning Theory and Experimental Psychology

Study Guide: Edward Thorndike: Learning Theory and Experimental Psychology

Core Learning Theories

Thorndike's theory of connectionism posits that learning is achieved through the formation of stimulus-response associations, rather than through sudden insight.

Answer: True

Thorndike's theory of connectionism posits that learning is achieved through the formation of stimulus-response associations, not through sudden insight.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • What criticism was leveled against Thorndike's connectionist theory?: Thorndike's connectionist theory faced criticism for being overly simplistic and reductionistic in its explanation of learning processes.
  • What are Edward Thorndike's principal 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.

The law of effect posits that behaviors followed by annoying consequences are weakened and less likely to recur.

Answer: True

The law of effect posits that behaviors followed by annoying consequences are weakened and less likely to recur.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • What was Thorndike's perspective on the importance of immediate satisfaction in the learning process?: 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.

Thorndike's 'law of exercise' proposed that unused associations weaken over time.

Answer: True

Thorndike's 'law of exercise' proposed that unused associations weaken over time.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Did Thorndike later revise his initial learning laws, and if so, in what manner?: 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.

Thorndike later revised his laws, abandoning the law of exercise and concluding that positive reinforcement was more effective than punishment.

Answer: True

Thorndike later revised his laws, abandoning the law of exercise and concluding that positive reinforcement was more effective than punishment.

Related Concepts:

  • Did Thorndike later revise his initial learning laws, and if so, in what manner?: 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 view on the relative 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.
  • How did Thorndike's research influence subsequent psychologists such as 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.

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

Answer: True

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

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Thorndike's 'law of readiness' suggests that learning is most effective when the learner is prepared and ready to engage with the material.

Answer: True

Thorndike's 'law of readiness' suggests that learning is most effective when the learner is prepared and ready to engage with the material.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • How did Thorndike's work contribute to the establishment of educational psychology as a discipline?: 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 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.

Thorndike's connectionism suggests that the outcome of a behavior significantly impacts its future occurrence.

Answer: True

Thorndike's connectionism suggests that the outcome of a behavior significantly impacts its future occurrence.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • What criticism was leveled against Thorndike's connectionist theory?: Thorndike's connectionist theory faced criticism for being overly simplistic and reductionistic in its explanation of learning processes.
  • What are Edward Thorndike's principal 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.

Thorndike's revised laws indicated that positive reinforcement was more effective than punishment for shaping behavior.

Answer: True

Thorndike's revised laws indicated that positive reinforcement was more effective than punishment for shaping behavior.

Related Concepts:

  • What was Thorndike's view on the relative 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.
  • Did Thorndike later revise his initial learning laws, and if so, in what manner?: 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 perspective on the importance of immediate satisfaction in the learning process?: 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.

Thorndike's 'law of effect' was modified, not entirely abandoned, and its core principles remained influential.

Answer: True

Thorndike's 'law of effect' was modified, not entirely abandoned, and its core principles remained influential.

Related Concepts:

  • What are Edward Thorndike's principal 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.
  • What specific criticism did Thorndike's puzzle box methodology encounter?: 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.
  • How did Thorndike's research influence subsequent psychologists such as 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.

Thorndike later revised his laws, finding the 'law of exercise' less effective than the 'law of effect' in explaining learning.

Answer: True

Thorndike later revised his laws, finding the 'law of exercise' less effective than the 'law of effect' in explaining learning.

Related Concepts:

  • 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 manner?: 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 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.

Thorndike's 'law of availability' relates to the ease with which a response can be performed or elicited.

Answer: True

Thorndike's 'law of availability' relates to the ease with which a response can be performed or elicited.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Thorndike's 'law of effect' was primarily concerned with the role of satisfying consequences in strengthening behavior, not solely punishment.

Answer: True

Thorndike's 'law of effect' was primarily concerned with the role of satisfying consequences in strengthening behavior, not solely punishment.

Related Concepts:

  • How did Thorndike's law of effect influence pedagogical 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 was Thorndike's view on the relative 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 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.

Thorndike's 'law of use' stated that frequently used associations become stronger.

Answer: True

Thorndike's 'law of use' stated that frequently used associations become stronger.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Thorndike's connectionism is primarily focused on the formation of associations between stimuli and responses, not directly on cognitive processes like memory and problem-solving.

Answer: True

Thorndike's connectionism is primarily focused on the formation of associations between stimuli and responses, not directly on cognitive processes like memory and problem-solving.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • What criticism was leveled against Thorndike's connectionist theory?: Thorndike's connectionist theory faced criticism for being overly simplistic and reductionistic in its explanation of learning processes.
  • What are Edward Thorndike's principal 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.

Thorndike's 'law of readiness' implies that forcing a learner to perform an action they are not ready for leads to annoyance, not satisfaction.

Answer: True

Thorndike's 'law of readiness' implies that forcing a learner to perform an action they are not ready for leads to annoyance, not satisfaction.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

According to Thorndike's 'law of effect', behaviors followed by satisfying consequences are strengthened and become more likely to recur.

Answer: True

According to Thorndike's 'law of effect', behaviors followed by satisfying consequences are strengthened and become more likely to recur.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • What was Thorndike's perspective on the importance of immediate satisfaction in the learning process?: 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.
  • How did Thorndike's law of effect influence pedagogical 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.

Thorndike's 'law of exercise' comprised two components. What were they?

Answer: Law of use and law of disuse.

Thorndike's 'law of exercise' comprised two components: the law of use and the law of disuse.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.

How did Thorndike revise his initial laws of learning later in his career?

Answer: He abandoned the law of exercise and found positive reinforcement more effective than punishment.

Thorndike revised his laws by abandoning the law of exercise and concluding that positive reinforcement was more effective than punishment.

Related Concepts:

  • Did Thorndike later revise his initial learning laws, and if so, in what manner?: 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 view on the relative 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 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.

Thorndike's 'law of readiness' suggests that learning is facilitated when:

Answer: A response is ready to occur, and acting on it is satisfying.

Thorndike's 'law of readiness' suggests that learning is facilitated when a response is ready to occur and acting on it is satisfying.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • 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.

Thorndike's 'law of exercise' was later revised or abandoned due to which primary reason?

Answer: Practice alone did not necessarily strengthen associations.

The 'law of exercise' was revised or abandoned because Thorndike found that practice alone did not necessarily strengthen associations.

Related Concepts:

  • 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 manner?: 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.

Thorndike's concept of 'associative shifting' refers to the process of:

Answer: Gradually changing the response associated with a stimulus.

Thorndike's concept of 'associative shifting' refers to the process of gradually changing the response associated with a stimulus.

Related Concepts:

  • What did Thorndike mean by 'associative shifting' in the context of 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Which of the following represents a significant criticism leveled against Thorndike's connectionist theory?

Answer: It was considered overly simplistic and reductionistic.

A significant criticism of Thorndike's connectionist theory was that it was considered overly simplistic and reductionistic.

Related Concepts:

  • What criticism was leveled against Thorndike's connectionist theory?: Thorndike's connectionist theory faced criticism for being overly simplistic and reductionistic in its explanation of learning processes.
  • 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.
  • What specific criticism did Thorndike's puzzle box methodology encounter?: 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.

Thorndike's 'law of recency' suggests that in a learning situation, the response most likely to be repeated is the one that was:

Answer: Most recently performed.

Thorndike's 'law of recency' suggests the response most likely to be repeated is the one most recently performed.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • What was Thorndike's perspective on the importance of immediate satisfaction in the learning process?: 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.

Thorndike's 'law of effect' faced criticism for several reasons, including:

Answer: The retroactive nature of consequences and philosophical implications.

Criticisms of Thorndike's 'law of effect' included the retroactive nature of consequences and philosophical implications.

Related Concepts:

  • 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 specific criticism did Thorndike's puzzle box methodology encounter?: 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 criticism was leveled against Thorndike's connectionist theory?: Thorndike's connectionist theory faced criticism for being overly simplistic and reductionistic in its explanation of learning processes.

Thorndike's 'law of availability' pertains to:

Answer: The ease with which a response can be performed.

Thorndike's 'law of availability' pertains to the ease with which a response can be performed.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Thorndike's 'law of effect' was later modified by Thorndike himself, who concluded that:

Answer: Positive reinforcement was more effective than punishment.

Thorndike concluded that positive reinforcement was more effective than punishment when modifying his 'law of effect'.

Related Concepts:

  • What was Thorndike's perspective on the importance of immediate satisfaction in the learning process?: 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 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.
  • 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.

Thorndike's theory of connectionism posits that learning occurs through the formation of associations between:

Answer: Stimuli and responses.

Thorndike's theory of connectionism posits that learning occurs through the formation of associations between stimuli and responses.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • What did Thorndike mean by 'associative shifting' in the context of 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.
  • What criticism was leveled against Thorndike's connectionist theory?: Thorndike's connectionist theory faced criticism for being overly simplistic and reductionistic in its explanation of learning processes.

The 'law of disuse,' a component of Thorndike's 'law of exercise', proposed that:

Answer: Unused associations become weaker.

The 'law of disuse' proposed that unused associations become weaker.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.

Thorndike's 'law of effect' suggests that the outcome of a behavior is crucial in shaping:

Answer: Future actions and responses.

Thorndike's 'law of effect' suggests that the outcome of a behavior is crucial in shaping future actions and responses.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • What was Thorndike's perspective on the importance of immediate satisfaction in the learning process?: 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.
  • How did Thorndike's research influence subsequent psychologists such as 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.

Thorndike's revised view on the law of effect indicated that positive reinforcement was more effective than punishment for:

Answer: Shaping future behavior.

Thorndike's revised view indicated positive reinforcement was more effective than punishment for shaping future behavior.

Related Concepts:

  • What was Thorndike's view on the relative 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 was Thorndike's perspective on the importance of immediate satisfaction in the learning process?: 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 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.

Experimental Research and Methodology

Edward Thorndike's doctoral dissertation represented the inaugural study in psychology to employ non-human subjects for experimental investigation.

Answer: True

Thorndike's doctoral dissertation, completed in 1898, was the first in psychology to employ non-human subjects for experimental research, establishing a precedent for comparative psychology.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • What was the significance of Thorndike's 1898 dissertation within 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 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.

Thorndike's puzzle boxes were small, enclosed apparatuses designed for animal participants to solve escape mechanisms, not for human participants solving logical problems.

Answer: True

Thorndike's puzzle boxes were small, enclosed apparatuses designed for animal participants to solve escape mechanisms, not for human participants solving logical problems.

Related Concepts:

  • Describe the puzzle boxes employed by Thorndike 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 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 research on learning curves indicate concerning 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.

Thorndike's research on learning curves indicated that animals learned gradually through trial and error, rather than through sudden insight.

Answer: True

Thorndike's research on learning curves indicated that animals learned gradually through trial and error, rather than through sudden insight.

Related Concepts:

  • What did Thorndike's research on learning curves indicate concerning 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 did Thorndike's experiments with cats in puzzle boxes reveal concerning their learning process?: 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 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.

Thorndike's research in comparative psychology was primarily conducted using animals such as cats and chickens, not primates.

Answer: True

Thorndike's research in comparative psychology was primarily conducted using animals such as cats and chickens, not primates.

Related Concepts:

  • 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 was the significance of Thorndike's 1898 dissertation within 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 are Edward Thorndike's principal 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.

Thorndike's puzzle box experiments demonstrated that animals learned to escape through gradual trial and error, not sudden insight.

Answer: True

Thorndike's puzzle box experiments demonstrated that animals learned to escape through gradual trial and error, not sudden insight.

Related Concepts:

  • What did Thorndike's research on learning curves indicate concerning 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 did Thorndike's experiments with cats in puzzle boxes reveal concerning their learning process?: 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 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.

Thorndike's puzzle box experiments showed that cats learned to escape through gradual trial and error, not sudden insight.

Answer: True

Thorndike's puzzle box experiments showed that cats learned to escape through gradual trial and error, not sudden insight.

Related Concepts:

  • What did Thorndike's experiments with cats in puzzle boxes reveal concerning their learning process?: 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 did Thorndike's research on learning curves indicate concerning 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 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 was the primary focus of Edward Thorndike's doctoral dissertation research?

Answer: An experimental study of associative processes in animals.

Thorndike's doctoral dissertation focused on an experimental study of associative processes in animals.

Related Concepts:

  • What are Edward Thorndike's principal 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 the majority of his professional 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.

What did Thorndike's experiments with cats in puzzle boxes primarily demonstrate regarding their learning process?

Answer: Learning was a gradual process of trial and error.

Thorndike's experiments with cats in puzzle boxes primarily demonstrated that their learning process was gradual and occurred through trial and error.

Related Concepts:

  • What did Thorndike's experiments with cats in puzzle boxes reveal concerning their learning process?: 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 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 research on learning curves indicate concerning 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 specific type of apparatus did Thorndike employ in his experiments on animal intelligence?

Answer: Puzzle boxes with escape mechanisms

Thorndike employed puzzle boxes with escape mechanisms in his experiments on animal intelligence.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • Describe the puzzle boxes employed by Thorndike 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 concerning their learning process?: 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.

How did Thorndike's puzzle box experiments diverge from theories that emphasized sudden insight learning?

Answer: They demonstrated gradual learning through trial and error, not sudden insight.

Thorndike's puzzle box experiments diverged from insight learning theories by demonstrating gradual learning through trial and error.

Related Concepts:

  • What did Thorndike's research on learning curves indicate concerning 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 did Thorndike's experiments with cats in puzzle boxes reveal concerning their learning process?: 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 specific criticism did Thorndike's puzzle box methodology encounter?: 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 the significance of Thorndike's dissertation being the first to employ non-human subjects?

Answer: It established a precedent for experimental psychology research using animals.

Thorndike's dissertation established a precedent for experimental psychology research using animals.

Related Concepts:

  • What was the significance of Thorndike's 1898 dissertation within 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 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.
  • 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.

Thorndike's research on learning curves indicated that animals learned gradually through:

Answer: Trial and error.

Thorndike's research indicated that animals learned gradually through trial and error.

Related Concepts:

  • What did Thorndike's experiments with cats in puzzle boxes reveal concerning their learning process?: 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 did Thorndike's research on learning curves indicate concerning 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 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.

Intelligence and Cognitive Concepts

Edward Thorndike posited that learning ability begins to decline significantly after the age of 21.

Answer: False

Thorndike's research indicated that learning ability remained relatively stable until approximately age 35, after which a gradual decline was observed.

Related Concepts:

  • 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 Thorndike's perspective 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.
  • When and where was Edward Thorndike born, and where did he spend the majority of his professional 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.

Edward Thorndike identified abstract, mechanical, and social intelligence as the three primary classifications of intelligence.

Answer: True

Edward Thorndike identified abstract, mechanical, and social intelligence as the three primary classifications of human intelligence.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • When and where was Edward Thorndike born, and where did he spend the majority of his professional 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 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.

Thorndike's work on the Army Beta test was intended to assess the cognitive abilities of illiterate or non-English speaking recruits.

Answer: True

Thorndike's work on the Army Beta test was intended to assess the cognitive abilities of illiterate or non-English speaking recruits.

Related Concepts:

  • 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 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.
  • How did Thorndike's work contribute to the establishment of educational psychology as a discipline?: 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.

Thorndike's research contributed to psychometrics, notably through his 1904 publication on mental and social measurements.

Answer: True

Thorndike's research contributed to psychometrics, notably through his 1904 publication on mental and social measurements.

Related Concepts:

  • 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 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.
  • What academic honors and positions did Edward Thorndike hold throughout 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.

Thorndike believed gender differences in behavior were primarily attributable to innate instincts and biological factors, not solely cultural conditioning.

Answer: True

Thorndike believed gender differences in behavior were primarily attributable to innate instincts and biological factors, not solely cultural conditioning.

Related Concepts:

  • What were Thorndike's beliefs concerning 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.
  • How did Thorndike's work contribute to the establishment of educational psychology as a discipline?: 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 was Thorndike's view on the 'original nature' of humans concerning 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.

Thorndike's concept of 'prepotency of elements' refers to a learner's ability to focus on significant aspects of a problem while disregarding irrelevant details.

Answer: True

Thorndike's concept of 'prepotency of elements' refers to a learner's ability to focus on significant aspects of a problem while disregarding irrelevant details.

Related Concepts:

  • What did Thorndike mean by 'prepotency of elements' in the context of 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.
  • How did Thorndike's work contribute to the establishment of educational psychology as a discipline?: 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.

Thorndike's research on mental fatigue focused on the impact of mental exertion on cognitive performance.

Answer: True

Thorndike's research on mental fatigue focused on the impact of mental exertion on cognitive performance.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • 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 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.

Thorndike's view on the 'teachable age' suggested learning ability remained stable until approximately age 35, not a sharp drop after age 30.

Answer: True

Thorndike's view on the 'teachable age' suggested learning ability remained stable until approximately age 35, not a sharp drop after age 30.

Related Concepts:

  • 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 Thorndike's perspective 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.
  • How did Thorndike's work contribute to the establishment of educational psychology as a discipline?: 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.

Thorndike's work on psychometrics primarily involved establishing methods for the scientific measurement of psychological attributes, not developing projective personality tests.

Answer: True

Thorndike's work on psychometrics primarily involved establishing methods for the scientific measurement of psychological attributes, not developing projective personality tests.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • How did Thorndike's work contribute to the establishment of educational psychology as a discipline?: 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.

Thorndike believed that innate instincts played a significant role in explaining gender differences in behavior.

Answer: True

Thorndike believed that innate instincts played a significant role in explaining gender differences in behavior.

Related Concepts:

  • What were Thorndike's beliefs concerning 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 was Thorndike's view on the 'original nature' of humans concerning 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.
  • How did Thorndike's work contribute to the establishment of educational psychology as a discipline?: 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.

Which of the following was NOT one of the three types of intelligence identified by Edward Thorndike?

Answer: Emotional intelligence

Edward Thorndike identified abstract, mechanical, and social intelligence; emotional intelligence was not among his classifications.

Related Concepts:

  • 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 perspective on the typical age at which learning ability begins to decline?

Answer: Around age 35

Thorndike's perspective was that learning ability typically begins to decline around age 35.

Related Concepts:

  • 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 Thorndike's perspective 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.
  • How did Thorndike's work contribute to the establishment of educational psychology as a discipline?: 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.

Thorndike's contribution to psychometrics is particularly highlighted by his work in which area?

Answer: Establishing the scientific measurement of psychological attributes.

Thorndike's contribution to psychometrics is highlighted by his work in establishing the scientific measurement of psychological attributes.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • How did Thorndike's work contribute to the establishment of educational psychology as a discipline?: 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 was Thorndike's stance regarding the relative roles of innate factors versus cultural influences in gender differences?

Answer: He attributed differences primarily to biological factors and innate instincts.

Thorndike's stance was that gender differences were primarily attributable to biological factors and innate instincts, rather than solely cultural influences.

Related Concepts:

  • What were Thorndike's beliefs concerning 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.
  • How did Thorndike's work contribute to the establishment of educational psychology as a discipline?: 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 was Thorndike's view on the 'original nature' of humans concerning 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.

Thorndike's involvement in the Army Beta test during WWI pertained to assessing the cognitive abilities of individuals who:

Answer: Were illiterate or did not speak English.

Thorndike's involvement in the Army Beta test was related to assessing the cognitive abilities of individuals who were illiterate or did not speak English.

Related Concepts:

  • 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 signify by the term 'prepotency of elements' in the context of learning?

Answer: The capacity to focus on significant aspects and ignore irrelevant details.

Thorndike's 'prepotency of elements' refers to a learner's capacity to focus on significant aspects and ignore irrelevant details.

Related Concepts:

  • What did Thorndike mean by 'prepotency of elements' in the context of 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 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.
  • 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 the primary achievement of Thorndike's 1904 book, 'Introduction to the Theory of Mental and Social Measurements'?

Answer: It laid groundwork for the scientific measurement of psychological attributes.

Thorndike's 1904 book laid groundwork for the scientific measurement of psychological attributes.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • How did Thorndike's work contribute to the establishment of educational psychology as a discipline?: 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 academic honors and positions did Edward Thorndike hold throughout 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.

Thorndike's perspective on the 'teachable age' suggested that learning ability remained stable until approximately what age?

Answer: 35 years old

Thorndike's perspective on the 'teachable age' suggested that learning ability remained stable until approximately 35 years old.

Related Concepts:

  • What was Thorndike's perspective 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 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.
  • How did Thorndike's work contribute to the establishment of educational psychology as a discipline?: 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.

Thorndike's work on 'mental fatigue' contributed to the early psychological study of:

Answer: How mental exertion affects performance.

Thorndike's work on 'mental fatigue' contributed to the early psychological study of how mental exertion affects performance.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • 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 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.

Thorndike's concept of 'prepotency of elements' refers to a learner's ability to:

Answer: Focus on significant aspects and ignore irrelevant details.

Thorndike's 'prepotency of elements' refers to a learner's ability to focus on significant aspects and ignore irrelevant details.

Related Concepts:

  • What did Thorndike mean by 'prepotency of elements' in the context of 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 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.
  • 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.

Educational Impact and Transfer of Learning

Thorndike's 'word books' were compiled to identify and list the most frequently used words in English, serving as a guide for vocabulary instruction.

Answer: True

Thorndike's 'word books' were compiled to identify and list the most frequently used words in English, serving as a guide for vocabulary instruction.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • When and where was Edward Thorndike born, and where did he spend the majority of his professional 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 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.

Thorndike believed that formal schooling should aim to refine and enhance human nature, rather than merely reflect existing tendencies.

Answer: True

Thorndike believed that formal schooling should aim to refine and enhance human nature, rather than merely reflect existing tendencies.

Related Concepts:

  • What was Thorndike's perspective on the role of schooling in relation to inherent 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 was Thorndike's view on the 'original nature' of humans concerning 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.
  • How did Thorndike's work contribute to the establishment of educational psychology as a discipline?: 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.

Thorndike's 'identical elements theory of transfer' suggests that learning transfers between situations based on the similarity of their constituent elements, not outcomes.

Answer: True

Thorndike's 'identical elements theory of transfer' suggests that learning transfers between situations based on the similarity of their constituent elements, not outcomes.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Thorndike's 'word books' were primarily utilized to guide vocabulary instruction by identifying frequently used words.

Answer: True

Thorndike's 'word books' were primarily utilized to guide vocabulary instruction by identifying frequently used words.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • When and where was Edward Thorndike born, and where did he spend the majority of his professional 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 were Thorndike's 'word books,' and what was their intended 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.

Thorndike's 'identical elements theory' implies that learning transfers between tasks based on shared elements, not perfectly between dissimilar tasks.

Answer: True

Thorndike's 'identical elements theory' implies that learning transfers between tasks based on shared elements, not perfectly between dissimilar tasks.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Thorndike's 'word books' were influential in shaping curriculum design for vocabulary instruction.

Answer: True

Thorndike's 'word books' were influential in shaping curriculum design for vocabulary instruction.

Related Concepts:

  • What were Thorndike's 'word books,' and what was their intended 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.
  • What was the purpose of Thorndike's 'word books' for educators?: Thorndike's word books were designed to assist educators 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 '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.

Thorndike's 'identical elements theory of transfer' suggests that learning transfers most effectively when tasks share identical components.

Answer: True

Thorndike's 'identical elements theory of transfer' suggests that learning transfers most effectively when tasks share identical components.

Related Concepts:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Thorndike's 'word books' were intended to help educators identify the most frequently used vocabulary for systematic instruction.

Answer: True

Thorndike's 'word books' were intended to help educators identify the most frequently used vocabulary for systematic instruction.

Related Concepts:

  • What was the purpose of Thorndike's 'word books' for educators?: Thorndike's word books were designed to assist educators 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.
  • What were Thorndike's 'word books,' and what was their intended 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 work contribute to the establishment of educational psychology as a discipline?: 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.

Thorndike's 'identical elements theory of transfer' suggests that learning transfers between situations based on:

Answer: The number of identical elements shared between the situations.

Thorndike's 'identical elements theory of transfer' posits that learning transfers between situations based on the number of identical elements shared between them.

Related Concepts:

  • 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 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.
  • 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 was the primary purpose of Thorndike's 'word books,' such as 'The Teacher's Word Book'?

Answer: To guide educators in prioritizing vocabulary instruction based on frequency.

Thorndike's 'word books' were intended to guide educators in prioritizing vocabulary instruction by identifying the most frequently occurring words.

Related Concepts:

  • What were Thorndike's 'word books,' and what was their intended 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.
  • What was the purpose of Thorndike's 'word books' for educators?: Thorndike's word books were designed to assist educators 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 establishment of educational psychology as a discipline?: 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.

Thorndike's belief that schooling should improve upon human nature implies that education should:

Answer: Aim to enhance and refine innate capacities.

Thorndike's belief implies that education should aim to enhance and refine innate capacities, rather than merely reflect existing ones.

Related Concepts:

  • What was Thorndike's view on the 'original nature' of humans concerning 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 was Thorndike's perspective on the role of schooling in relation to inherent 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.
  • How did Thorndike's work contribute to the establishment of educational psychology as a discipline?: 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.

Thorndike's contribution to industrial personnel administration was primarily achieved through:

Answer: Providing methods for employee selection and evaluation using psychological measurement.

Thorndike's contribution to industrial personnel administration was primarily through providing methods for employee selection and evaluation using psychological measurement.

Related Concepts:

  • 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 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.
  • How did Thorndike's work contribute to the establishment of educational psychology as a discipline?: 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.

Thorndike's 'word books' were designed to assist educators by:

Answer: Providing lists of the most frequently occurring words.

Thorndike's 'word books' were designed to assist educators by providing lists of the most frequently occurring words.

Related Concepts:

  • What was the purpose of Thorndike's 'word books' for educators?: Thorndike's word books were designed to assist educators 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.
  • What were Thorndike's 'word books,' and what was their intended 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 work contribute to the establishment of educational psychology as a discipline?: 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.

Thorndike's 'identical elements theory of transfer' suggests that learning transfers most effectively between tasks that:

Answer: Share identical components or elements.

Thorndike's 'identical elements theory of transfer' suggests that learning transfers most effectively between tasks that share identical components.

Related Concepts:

  • 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 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.
  • 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.

Biographical Context and Legacy

Edward Thorndike was a proponent of eugenics, advocating for selective breeding to enhance human capacities.

Answer: True

Edward Thorndike was indeed a proponent of eugenics, advocating for selective breeding to enhance human capacities.

Related Concepts:

  • What was Thorndike's stance concerning 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.
  • What are Edward Thorndike's principal 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.
  • How did Thorndike's work contribute to the establishment of educational psychology as a discipline?: 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.

Edward Thorndike served as president of the American Psychological Association in 1912, not 1934.

Answer: True

Edward Thorndike served as president of the American Psychological Association in 1912, not 1934.

Related Concepts:

  • What academic honors and positions did Edward Thorndike hold throughout 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.
  • 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.
  • When and where was Edward Thorndike born, and where did he spend the majority of his professional 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.

Thorndike Hall at Teachers College, Columbia University, was renamed due to criticisms regarding Thorndike's espoused views, not his contributions to behaviorism.

Answer: True

Thorndike Hall at Teachers College, Columbia University, was renamed due to criticisms regarding Thorndike's espoused views, not his contributions to behaviorism.

Related Concepts:

  • What are Edward Thorndike's principal 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 the majority of his professional 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.
  • Why was Thorndike Hall at Teachers College, Columbia University, ultimately renamed?: Thorndike Hall was renamed following a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees of Teachers' College due to Thorndike's "racist, sexist, and antisemitic ideals."

Thorndike's work served as a bridge between functionalism and behaviorism by emphasizing empirical data and learning theory.

Answer: True

Thorndike's work served as a bridge between functionalism and behaviorism by emphasizing empirical data and learning theory.

Related Concepts:

  • How did Thorndike's work serve as a bridge 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.
  • How did Thorndike's research influence the development of behaviorism as a major psychological school?: 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.
  • How did Thorndike's work contribute to the establishment of educational psychology as a discipline?: 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.

Edward Thorndike spent the majority of his career at Teachers College, Columbia University, not Harvard University.

Answer: True

Edward Thorndike spent the majority of his career at Teachers College, Columbia University, not Harvard University.

Related Concepts:

  • When and where was Edward Thorndike born, and where did he spend the majority of his professional 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 academic honors and positions did Edward Thorndike hold throughout 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 are Edward Thorndike's principal 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.

Thorndike's early work was influenced by his advisor, William James, not B.F. Skinner.

Answer: True

Thorndike's early work was influenced by his advisor, William James, not B.F. Skinner.

Related Concepts:

  • How did Thorndike's research influence subsequent psychologists such as 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.
  • How did Thorndike's work serve as a bridge 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 are Edward Thorndike's principal 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.

Thorndike's research significantly influenced B.F. Skinner's development of operant conditioning.

Answer: True

Thorndike's research significantly influenced B.F. Skinner's development of operant conditioning.

Related Concepts:

  • How did Thorndike's research influence subsequent psychologists such as 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.
  • How did Thorndike's research influence the development of behaviorism as a major psychological school?: 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.
  • How did Thorndike's work serve as a bridge 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.

Where did Edward Thorndike spend the majority of his professional career?

Answer: Teachers College, Columbia University

Edward Thorndike spent the majority of his professional career at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Related Concepts:

  • When and where was Edward Thorndike born, and where did he spend the majority of his professional 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 academic honors and positions did Edward Thorndike hold throughout 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 are Edward Thorndike's principal 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.

Thorndike's work laid foundational groundwork for which major school of psychological thought?

Answer: Behaviorism

Thorndike's work laid foundational groundwork for the development of Behaviorism.

Related Concepts:

  • How did Thorndike's research influence the development of behaviorism as a major psychological school?: 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.
  • How did Thorndike's work serve as a bridge 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 are Edward Thorndike's principal 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.

What criticism precipitated the renaming of Thorndike Hall at Teachers College, Columbia University?

Answer: Thorndike held 'racist, sexist, and antisemitic ideals.'

Thorndike Hall was renamed due to criticisms concerning Thorndike's espoused 'racist, sexist, and antisemitic ideals.'

Related Concepts:

  • Why was Thorndike Hall at Teachers College, Columbia University, ultimately renamed?: Thorndike Hall was renamed following a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees of Teachers' College due to Thorndike's "racist, sexist, and antisemitic ideals."
  • When and where was Edward Thorndike born, and where did he spend the majority of his professional 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.

Which academic advisor is cited as influencing Edward Thorndike's early interest in animal learning?

Answer: William James

William James is cited as influencing Edward Thorndike's early interest in animal learning.

Related Concepts:

  • 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 are Edward Thorndike's principal 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 the majority of his professional 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.

Which of the following was NOT an academic honor or position held by Edward Thorndike?

Answer: President of the American Philosophical Association

Edward Thorndike held positions such as President of the American Psychological Association and was elected to the National Academy of Sciences, but not President of the American Philosophical Association.

Related Concepts:

  • What academic honors and positions did Edward Thorndike hold throughout 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.
  • When and where was Edward Thorndike born, and where did he spend the majority of his professional 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.
  • 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.

Thorndike's advocacy for eugenics involved promoting:

Answer: Selective breeding to improve human nature.

Thorndike's advocacy for eugenics involved promoting selective breeding to improve human nature.

Related Concepts:

  • What was Thorndike's stance concerning 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.

Thorndike's work bridged functionalism and behaviorism primarily through his emphasis on:

Answer: Empirical observation and learning theory.

Thorndike's work bridged functionalism and behaviorism primarily through his emphasis on empirical observation and learning theory.

Related Concepts:

  • How did Thorndike's work serve as a bridge 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.
  • How did Thorndike's research influence the development of behaviorism as a major psychological school?: 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.
  • How did Thorndike's work contribute to the establishment of educational psychology as a discipline?: 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.

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