Thorndike's Laws

• Law of exercise

  • Repetition / rehearsal will strengthen the S-R bond
  • If the desired response is produced then it must be reinforced
  • This leads to a habit
  • Practice makes permanent
• Law of Readiness

  • A learner must be physically and mentally ready to perform a skill or complete the task
  • Eg - teaching a 5 year old to do a headstand is unrealistic.
• Law of effect

  • Any action that is positively reinforced will tend to be repeated
  • If the response is followed by a satisfier , then the S-R bond will be strengthened
• Law of effect

  • If the response is followed by an annoyer the the S-R bond is weakened
  • If the response is followed by a satisfier , then the S-R bond will be strengthened
  • The pleasant outcomes motivate the performer to repeat the action.
• Thorndike's Laws can also be used as methods to strengthen the S-R.