Which of the following is not included among Thorndike's primary laws of…
2018
Which of the following is not included among Thorndike's primary laws of learning?
- A.
Law of exercise
- B.
Law of effect
- C.
Law of associative shifting
- D.
Law of readiness
Attempted by 5 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept
Thorndike classified his laws of learning into primary laws and subsidiary laws.
The three primary laws explain readiness to act, the effect of consequences, and the strengthening or weakening of stimulus-response bonds through exercise.
Application
The law of exercise is a primary law: practice strengthens a stimulus-response bond, while disuse weakens it.
The law of effect is a primary law: satisfying consequences strengthen a response, while annoying consequences weaken it.
The law of readiness is a primary law: learning is facilitated when the learner is prepared to act.
The law of associative shifting describes transferring a response from one stimulus to another through gradual substitution; Thorndike treated it as a subsidiary law.
Contrast
Law | Classification |
|---|---|
Law of exercise | Primary law concerning use and disuse of stimulus-response bonds. |
Law of effect | Primary law concerning the consequences of a response. |
Law of associative shifting | Subsidiary law concerning transfer of a response between stimuli. |
Law of readiness | Primary law concerning preparedness to act. |
Cross-check
The standard set of primary laws contains readiness, exercise, and effect. Therefore, the law of associative shifting is not included among Thorndike’s primary laws of learning.