Laws of Learning

Learning is defined as a change in the behavior of the learner post instruction. The changes can take in the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains of  teaching learning experiences.

However, on the psychological level, learning is a bond formed between stimulus and response in the central nervous system of the brain. There are certain laws which determine the  formation and existence of these bonds on a long term basis.

Laws of Learning:

There are three laws of learning. They are:

Law of Readiness:

·        This law states that for the formation of the bond between the stimulus and response, the learner is to be prepared mentally.

·        This is possible through motivation or maintaining an inner drive.

Law of Effects:

·        This law states that the bond formed between the stimulus and the response can be strengthened by reinforcers. The reinforcers can be positive or negative in nature.

·        Desirable aspects of the behavior can be encouraged in the learner by positive reinforcers called rewards.

·        The undesirable behaviors can be reduced in their strength and finally eliminated from the learner’s system by negative reinforcers called punishments.

·        According to the modified law of effects, the influence of positive reinforcers like the reward is more than the negative reinforce punishment.

Law of Exercise:

·        This law states that the stimulus response bond can be kept strong for a long term basis by regular drill or practice of the learned experience.

·        The modified law of exercise says that practice along with rewards can maintain strong bonds between the stimulus and the response for a long time.

Conclusion: The first law stresses on the concept of motivation, the second law gives the importance of  rewards in learning and the third law presents the importance of practice or drill along with appropriate rewards on a timely basis in learning.