Contemporary theories of learning : with applications to education and psychology / Louis P. Thorpe, Allen M. Schmuller.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Thorpe, Louis P. (Louis Peter), 1893-1970, author.

Schmuller, Allen M., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Learning, Psychology of.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (480 pages) : illustrations

Other Title:

Contemporary theories of learning

Place of Publication:

New York, New York : Ronald Press Company, 1954.

Summary:

The impact of psychological theories of learning on methods of classroom teaching has been one of the phenomena of twentieth century educational progress. Yet often these theories are imperfectly understood by those whose task it is to apply them to the development and adjustment of the learner. It is the purpose of this textbook for university and college classes to explain the most important theories of learning in the clearest and simplest possible language, to show the relevance of each of them to the educational process, and to point out that in spite of the many conflicts between these theories they have a common ground upon which can be based an intelligible pattern of classroom procedure. By devoting a chapter to each of the main types of theory this volume provides a cross-section of the work of contemporary and recent psychologists. For the sake of clarity of organization each chapter is divided into four parts: 1. an objective statement of the theory, 2. a presentation of experimental verification, 3. a critique of the theory, and 4. a discussion of its implications for the conduct of education. An effort has been made to indicate the fundamental principles upon which each theory is based and to distinguish these from its subsidiary proposals. Whenever abstract statements are made, concrete examples are given to illuminate the concepts involved.

Contents:

The need for understanding learning

Background of contemporary theories of learning

Thorndike's bond hypothesis

Guthrie's theory of contiguity

Hull's system of behavior

Skinner's descriptive behaviorism

Gestalt psychology: A holistic outlook

Wheeler and organismic learning

Tolman and purposive learning

Functionalism: A dynamic approach to learning

Problem solving: Dewey's view of learning as experience

The search for an integration of theories of learning

The eclectic point of view in learning.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.