A. Gagne has classified learning into Six (06) types in a hierarchical order.
B. The study of instrumental conditioning started from the puzzle box experiments on cats by Skinner.
C. The law of disuse states that other things being equal, when a modifiable connection between stimulus - response (S-R) is not made over a period of time, the strength of that connection is weakened.
D. Hull's theory of learning is called 'Drive-Reduction Theory'.
E. Shaping is the most important mechanism used in classical conditioning.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Statement Analysis for Learning Theories MCQ
Evaluate each statement to determine its accuracy regarding established learning theories.
- Statement A: Incorrect. Robert Gagne proposed a hierarchy of eight types of learning (Signal, Stimulus-Response, Chaining, Verbal Association, Discrimination, Concept, Principle, Problem Solving), not six.
- Statement B: Incorrect. While Skinner studied instrumental conditioning, the puzzle box experiments with cats were conducted by Edward Thorndike, not Skinner. Skinner's work involved rats and pigeons.
- Statement C: Correct. This accurately describes Thorndike's Law of Disuse, a principle suggesting that unused connections between stimulus and response weaken over time.
- Statement D: Correct. Clark L. Hull's theory is fundamentally based on the concept that learning occurs as a result of reducing physiological or psychological drives, hence it is known as Drive-Reduction Theory.
- Statement E: Incorrect. Shaping is a key technique in operant conditioning, used to reinforce successive approximations of a desired behavior. It is not the primary mechanism in classical conditioning, which involves associating stimuli.
Identifying Correct Statements
Based on the analysis:
- Statements C and D are correct.
- Statements A, B, and E are incorrect.
Therefore, the correct option includes statements C and D only.
Important Questions from Principles and theories of learning
- A procedure that provides information to the learner in small steps, guarantees immediate feedback and allows the learner to determine the pace with which to complete the task. It is called
- Behaviour modification by the application of operant conditioning consists of the following :
a. Token economy
b. Punishment
c. Time-out
d. Withdrawal of reinforcement Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer by choosing from the codes given below :
List – I List – II a. Observational learning i. Learning where an object is located b. Place learning ii. A response that can be observed by others c. Overt responding iii. The process whereby information is acquired by attending to events in the environment d. Latent learning iv. Learning that takes place independent of reinforcement - Punishment given frequently to young students leads to
- Read each of the following two statements – Assertion (A) and Reason (R); and indicate your answer using codes given below :
Assertion (A) : Hull proposed that Reaction Potential ($S_E R$) is the product of Habit Strength ($S_H R$) and Drive (D) from this some testable prediction can be made about the rate of eye lid conditioning in relation to drive.
Reason (R) : Hull’s theory is based on Hypothetico-Deductive model which involved deducting testable consequences based on postulates.
