Thorndike/Trial and Error Flashcards
Define trial and error learning.
Learning by trying alternative possibilities until the desired outcome is achieved.
- Involves a number of attempts (trials) and a number of incorrect choices (errors) before the desired outcome is achieved (solution).
What is the law effect?
States that behaviour becomes controlled by its consequences - if behaviour is followed by pleasant consequences then it is likely to be repeated, if it is followed by unpleasant consequences it is likely to be stopped.
What form of learning is outlined in the law effect?
Operant conditioning.
Form a research hypothesis for Thorndike’s experiment.
It was hypothesised that when a cat is placed in a puzzle box, it will eventually learn how to exit the box by trying alternative possibilities-through trial and error - therefore reducing the time taken to escape the box after successive trials.
What is the IV and DV in Thorndike’s experiment?
IV: Number of trials.
DV: Time taken in minutes to escape the puzzle box.
What form of data was collected in the experiment?
Quantitative data (Time taken to escape the box per trial).
What does trial and error learning involve?
- Motivation: Desire to attain some goal.
- Exploration: An increase in activity, either purposeful or random.
- Responses: Correct and incorrect.
- Reward: Correct response is made and then rewarded.
What does trial and error learning involve?
- Motivation: Desire to attain some goal.
- Exploration: An increase in activity, either purposeful or random.
- Responses: Correct and incorrect.
- Reward: Correct response is made and then rewarded.
