1. Who is regarded as the father of modern educational psychology?
A. John Dewey
B. Edward L. Thorndike
C. Jean Piaget
D. B.F. Skinner
Answer: B. Edward L. Thorndike
Explanation: Thorndike is considered the father of educational psychology due to his pioneering work in learning theory and behaviorism, especially his formulation of the Laws of Learning.
2. Thorndike’s learning theory is also known as:
A. Cognitive Learning Theory
B. Classical Conditioning
C. Connectionism
D. Insight Learning
Answer: C. Connectionism
Explanation: Thorndike proposed the theory of Connectionism, which emphasizes the formation of bonds or connections between stimuli and responses.
3. Which of the following is NOT one of Thorndike’s original Laws of Learning?
A. Law of Readiness
B. Law of Effect
C. Law of Practice
D. Law of Reversibility
Answer: D. Law of Reversibility
Explanation: Thorndike proposed the Law of Readiness, Law of Exercise (Practice), and Law of Effect. Law of Reversibility is not a part of his theory.
4. The Law of Effect states that:
A. Learning is strengthened with repetition
B. Motivation leads to better learning
C. Responses followed by satisfaction are more likely to be repeated
D. Learning occurs suddenly through insight
Answer: C. Responses followed by satisfaction are more likely to be repeated
Explanation: The Law of Effect explains that behaviors followed by positive outcomes are strengthened.
5. Which animal did Thorndike famously use in his puzzle box experiments?
A. Monkey
B. Rat
C. Cat
D. Dog
Answer: C. Cat
Explanation: Thorndike used cats in puzzle boxes to study trial-and-error learning.
6. What kind of learning did Thorndike observe in his puzzle box experiment?
A. Observational learning
B. Trial and error learning
C. Insight learning
D. Operant conditioning
Answer: B. Trial and error learning
Explanation: Cats learned how to escape from boxes by trying different actions until the correct one worked, showing trial and error learning.
7. Thorndike’s Law of Exercise includes which two components?
A. Satisfaction and Discomfort
B. Use and Disuse
C. Stimulus and Response
D. Readiness and Effect
Answer: B. Use and Disuse
Explanation: The Law of Exercise includes the idea that connections are strengthened with practice (use) and weakened with lack of use (disuse).
8. Which of the following best illustrates Thorndike’s Law of Readiness?
A. A student learns faster when he is motivated
B. A student memorizes a poem by repeating it
C. A child stops answering wrongly when scolded
D. A student gains insight suddenly after seeing a pattern
Answer: A. A student learns faster when he is motivated
Explanation: Law of Readiness suggests that learning occurs best when the learner is mentally and physically prepared.
9. Thorndike’s theory falls under which psychological approach?
A. Gestalt
B. Behaviorism
C. Humanism
D. Constructivism
Answer: B. Behaviorism
Explanation: Thorndike’s Connectionism is an early form of behaviorism, focusing on stimulus-response learning.
10. Thorndike revised his Law of Effect in later years to include:
A. Punishment is more effective than reward
B. Negative consequences weaken behavior
C. Only positive consequences strengthen behavior
D. Learning is innate
Answer: C. Only positive consequences strengthen behaviour
Explanation: Thorndike later emphasized that only positive consequences strengthen S-R connections, while negative ones do not necessarily weaken them.
11. Which educational implication stems from Thorndike’s Law of Effect?
A. Punishment should be emphasized
B. Repetition alone ensures learning
C. Reinforcement motivates students
D. Insight must be encouraged
Answer: C. Reinforcement motivates students
Explanation: Thorndike’s theory encourages the use of positive reinforcement to make learning effective.
12. What is the primary method through which Thorndike believed learning occurs?
A. Insight
B. Trial and Error
C. Classical Conditioning
D. Role Modeling
Answer: B. Trial and Error
Explanation: Thorndike believed that trial and error was a key mechanism through which animals and humans learn.
13. Thorndike’s theory had a significant influence on which later psychologist?
A. Piaget
B. Skinner
C. Bruner
D. Vygotsky
Answer: B. Skinner
Explanation: B.F. Skinner’s operant conditioning theory builds upon Thorndike’s Law of Effect and behaviorism.
14. Which of the following is NOT associated with Thorndike’s theory?
A. S-R bonds
B. Educational Measurement
C. Insightful Learning
D. Connectionism
Answer: C. Insightful Learning
Explanation: Insightful learning is associated with Gestalt psychologists like Köhler, not Thorndike.
15. Thorndike believed in which kind of transfer of learning?
A. General Transfer
B. Specific Transfer
C. Functional Transfer
D. Negative Transfer
Answer: B. Specific Transfer
Explanation: Thorndike’s Theory of Identical Elements supports specific transfer, where learning transfers only if two tasks share common elements.
16. Which educational practice aligns most with Thorndike’s ideas?
A. Punishment-based discipline
B. Abstract discussion
C. Practice and drill
D. Student-centered exploration
Answer: C. Practice and drill
Explanation: Thorndike supported practice-based learning, making drills and repetition important.
17. What is the major critique of Thorndike’s learning theory?
A. It ignores punishment
B. It underestimates trial and error
C. It ignores mental processes like insight
D. It’s based on large-scale classroom studies
Answer: C. It ignores mental processes like insight
Explanation: Critics argue that Thorndike’s theory is too mechanical and doesn’t consider cognitive processes like insight or understanding.
18. Thorndike’s influence is most clearly seen in which area of education?
A. Moral development
B. Vocational guidance
C. Curriculum development and testing
D. Psychoanalysis
Answer: C. Curriculum development and testing
Explanation: Thorndike contributed greatly to standardized testing, curriculum design, and educational psychology.
19. Thorndike was the first psychologist to use which tool in education?
A. IQ Test
B. Achievement Test
C. Rating Scale
D. Objective Test
Answer: D. Objective Test
Explanation: Thorndike developed objective testing techniques in educational settings.
20. In Thorndike’s view, effective learning depends on:
A. Teacher’s personality
B. Structured environment only
C. Forming strong stimulus-response bonds
D. Insight and reflection
Answer: C. Forming strong stimulus-response bonds
Explanation: Thorndike emphasized that learning is the formation of S-R connections, strengthened through repetition and reward.
21. How many major laws of learning were originally proposed by Thorndike?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
Answer: C. Three
Explanation: Thorndike proposed three major laws: Law of Readiness, Law of Exercise, and Law of Effect.
22. Which of the following is not a major law of learning according to Thorndike?
A. Law of Readiness
B. Law of Effect
C. Law of Practice
D. Law of Recency
Answer: D. Law of Recency
Explanation: Law of Recency is a minor law. The major laws are: Readiness, Exercise, and Effect.
23. The Law of Readiness implies that learning occurs best when:
A. The learner is scolded
B. The learner is mentally and physically prepared
C. The learner is forced to study
D. Learning materials are difficult
Answer: B. The learner is mentally and physically prepared
Explanation: The Law of Readiness states that when someone is prepared to act, doing so is satisfying and leads to better learning.
24. The Law of Exercise includes which of the following principles?
A. Law of Transfer and Law of Similarity
B. Law of Use and Law of Disuse
C. Law of Repetition and Law of Association
D. Law of Effect and Law of Practice
Answer: B. Law of Use and Law of Disuse
Explanation: According to Thorndike, frequent use of a connection strengthens it (Law of Use), while lack of use weakens it (Law of Disuse).
25. The Law of Effect highlights the importance of:
A. Mental effort
B. Satisfaction and dissatisfaction
C. Insight
D. Group interaction
Answer: B. Satisfaction and dissatisfaction
Explanation: The Law of Effect states that responses followed by satisfying outcomes are strengthened, while those followed by discomfort are weakened.
26. Which law was later revised by Thorndike?
A. Law of Readiness
B. Law of Use
C. Law of Effect
D. Law of Disuse
Answer: C. Law of Effect
Explanation: Thorndike later modified the Law of Effect to emphasize that positive consequences strengthen learning more reliably than negative ones weaken it.
27. Which of the following is a minor law of learning by Thorndike?
A. Law of Effect
B. Law of Readiness
C. Law of Practice
D. Law of Multiple Responses
Answer: D. Law of Multiple Responses
Explanation: The Law of Multiple Responses is a minor law, suggesting that when faced with a problem, a learner tries multiple responses before achieving success.
28. The Law of Multiple Responses reflects:
A. Only insight-based behavior
B. Unwillingness to learn
C. Trial-and-error learning
D. Peer-based learning
Answer: C. Trial-and-error learning
Explanation: Learners keep trying different responses until they discover a successful one — a key part of Thorndike’s theory.
29. According to the Law of Prepotency of Elements, learners:
A. Focus only on emotions
B. Are unable to distinguish parts
C. Respond selectively to the significant elements in a situation
D. Learn best through punishment
Answer: C. Respond selectively to the significant elements in a situation
Explanation: This minor law implies learners respond to dominant or important features rather than all elements equally.
30. The Law of Associative Shifting refers to:
A. Transfer of motivation
B. Creating associations with similar situations
C. Transfer of behavior from one stimulus to another
D. Shifting attention to emotions
Answer: C. Transfer of behavior from one stimulus to another
Explanation: This minor law suggests that a response initially tied to one stimulus can shift to another stimulus if they are presented together frequently.
31. Which law supports the idea that learners can adapt responses based on changed stimuli?
A. Law of Readiness
B. Law of Effect
C. Law of Associative Shifting
D. Law of Disuse
Answer: C. Law of Associative Shifting
Explanation: It shows how behavior can be transferred or generalized from one context to another.
32. The Law of Set or Attitude implies that:
A. Emotions control behavior
B. Learners cannot predict outcomes
C. Previous experiences influence readiness to respond
D. All learners behave identically
Answer: C. Previous experiences influence readiness to respond
Explanation: This law highlights how a learner’s mental set or attitude affects their learning behavior.
33. Which law explains a learner’s ability to apply past knowledge to solve new problems?
A. Law of Attitude
B. Law of Response by Analogy
C. Law of Disuse
D. Law of Effect
Answer: B. Law of Response by Analogy
Explanation: Learners respond to new situations by drawing similarities from past experiences.
34. Which one of the following laws highlights the motivation factor in learning?
A. Law of Effect
B. Law of Readiness
C. Law of Disuse
D. Law of Analogy
Answer: B. Law of Readiness
Explanation: Readiness relates to internal motivation and willingness to learn, which facilitates effective learning.
35. Thorndike’s Law of Effect supports the idea of:
A. Insightful problem-solving
B. Conditioning through reinforcement
C. Reward-free learning
D. Learning through observation
Answer: B. Conditioning through reinforcement
Explanation: It’s one of the foundational ideas leading to modern reinforcement theories in behaviorism.
36. According to the Law of Practice, repeated experiences lead to:
A. Weakened memory
B. Stronger stimulus-response connections
C. Decreased learning
D. Abstract learning only
Answer: B. Stronger stimulus-response connections
Explanation: Repetition or practice makes the learning connection stronger and more likely to recur.
37. In the Law of Response by Analogy, the learner:
A. Reacts without previous knowledge
B. Applies solutions from old problems to new ones
C. Focuses only on repetition
D. Ignores all stimuli
Answer: B. Applies solutions from old problems to new ones
Explanation: This is a problem-solving approach based on similarity with previous experiences.
38. The Law of Prepotency of Elements can be used to design:
A. Difficult assessment systems
B. Curriculum focusing on key learning points
C. Punishment-based systems
D. One-size-fits-all classrooms
Answer: B. Curriculum focusing on key learning points
Explanation: Teachers should design lessons focusing on the main or essential elements for effective learning.
39. The Law of Disuse supports the need for:
A. Ignoring repetition
B. Continual revision and recall
C. Insight learning only
D. Passive instruction
Answer: B. Continual revision and recall
Explanation: Unused connections weaken over time, so review and repetition are essential for retention.
40. Which of the following laws supports reinforcement learning methods?
A. Law of Effect
B. Law of Readiness
C. Law of Analogy
D. Law of Exercise
Answer: A. Law of Effect
Explanation: The Law of Effect is the basis of reinforcement theory, stating that rewards strengthen behavior.
41. Which of the following best reflects Thorndike’s impact on school instruction?
A. Emphasis on reflective learning
B. Focus on rote memorization only
C. Use of reinforcement and objective assessment
D. Emphasis on imagination and creativity
Answer: C. Use of reinforcement and objective assessment
Explanation: Thorndike promoted the use of reinforcements and objective methods of evaluating learning, such as tests and practice drills.
42. Thorndike’s concept of “identical elements” is most related to which educational idea?
A. Transfer of learning
B. Group dynamics
C. Creative thinking
D. Observational learning
Answer: A. Transfer of learning
Explanation: Thorndike believed that learning transfers from one situation to another only when there are identical elements shared between the two.
43. In educational planning, Thorndike would most likely support:
A. Open-ended learning environments
B. Trial-based and tested instruction methods
C. Teaching via moral reasoning
D. Encouraging sudden insights
Answer: B. Trial-based and tested instruction methods
Explanation: Thorndike emphasized empirically tested instructional methods based on stimulus-response learning.
44. According to Thorndike, a response is strengthened when:
A. It leads to punishment
B. It leads to confusion
C. It is followed by a satisfying outcome
D. It is repeated after a delay
Answer: C. It is followed by a satisfying outcome
Explanation: This is the essence of Thorndike’s Law of Effect.
45. Thorndike’s Laws of Learning emphasize:
A. Mental discipline
B. Stimulus-response connections
C. Psychoanalytic interpretation
D. Abstract reasoning
Answer: B. Stimulus-response connections
Explanation: Thorndike believed learning is the result of forming connections between stimuli and appropriate responses.
46. What is the educational implication of Thorndike’s Law of Exercise?
A. Learning occurs best without repetition
B. Repeated practice strengthens learning
C. Insight learning is superior
D. Group learning is best
Answer: B. Repeated practice strengthens learning
Explanation: The Law of Exercise supports learning through drill and practice.
47. Which of the following methods of teaching would Thorndike most likely disapprove of?
A. Trial-and-error methods
B. Repetition-based drills
C. Student-directed discovery learning
D. Objective assessment
Answer: C. Student-directed discovery learning
Explanation: Discovery learning is more aligned with constructivism or Piaget, whereas Thorndike supported structured, measurable methods.
48. Thorndike believed that intelligence:
A. Cannot be measured
B. Is influenced by unconscious desires
C. Can be measured through objective tests
D. Is best understood through introspection
Answer: C. Can be measured through objective tests
Explanation: Thorndike pioneered the use of objective psychological measurement to assess intelligence and abilities.
49. Who among the following was most influenced by Thorndike’s Law of Effect?
A. Jean Piaget
B. Ivan Pavlov
C. B.F. Skinner
D. Carl Rogers
Answer: C. B.F. Skinner
Explanation: Skinner’s operant conditioning was built upon Thorndike’s Law of Effect, emphasizing reinforcement.
50. What was the primary criticism of Thorndike’s approach to learning?
A. Overemphasis on mental imagery
B. Ignored physical environment
C. Ignored role of cognitive understanding and insight
D. It was purely theoretical without experimentation
Answer: C. Ignored role of cognitive understanding and insight
Explanation: Thorndike’s theory was criticized for being too mechanical, focusing on behavior rather than cognitive processes like understanding or insight.
51. Thorndike believed that learning was:
A. Automatic and reflexive
B. A result of conscious insight
C. Gradual and built through experience
D. Dependent on emotional bonding
Answer: C. Gradual and built through experience
Explanation: Learning for Thorndike is incremental, occurring through repeated trial and error.
52. According to Thorndike, a student who keeps failing in math may need:
A. More imagination
B. Reflective analysis
C. Increased motivation and repetition
D. Emotional counseling
Answer: C. Increased motivation and repetition
Explanation: Thorndike would suggest that practice and positive reinforcement will help in strengthening learning.
53. What type of test would Thorndike most likely favor?
A. Subjective essay test
B. Projective personality test
C. Objective multiple-choice test
D. Group discussion evaluation
Answer: C. Objective multiple-choice test
Explanation: Thorndike emphasized objectivity and measurement, favoring tests that are quantifiable and replicable.
54. Thorndike emphasized the use of educational psychology for:
A. Religious education
B. Improving discipline in schools
C. Scientific curriculum development
D. Personality development
Answer: C. Scientific curriculum development
Explanation: He aimed to make education more scientific and data-driven, particularly in curriculum design and testing.
55. Which of these phrases best describes Thorndike’s philosophy?
A. Learning by discovery
B. Stimulus-response conditioning
C. Self-directed learning
D. Insight-based understanding
Answer: B. Stimulus-response conditioning
Explanation: Thorndike’s Connectionism is a form of stimulus-response learning theory.
56. Thorndike’s “puzzle box” experiments demonstrated the principle of:
A. Operant conditioning
B. Insight learning
C. Trial-and-error learning
D. Latent learning
Answer: C. Trial-and-error learning
Explanation: The experiments showed how animals learned by repeated attempts, refining responses over time.
57. In the context of Thorndike’s laws, punishment is:
A. A powerful tool for strengthening learning
B. As effective as reward
C. Not effective in strengthening connections
D. Encouraged over positive reinforcement
Answer: C. Not effective in strengthening connections
Explanation: Thorndike later revised his Law of Effect, suggesting that only positive outcomes strengthen learning.
58. According to Thorndike, the role of the teacher is to:
A. Facilitate emotional development
B. Encourage spontaneous exploration
C. Provide reinforcement and structured practice
D. Stimulate moral development
Answer: C. Provide reinforcement and structured practice
Explanation: In Thorndike’s view, teachers should structure the learning environment and use reinforcement to promote learning.
59. Thorndike’s theory can be best applied in which of the following situations?
A. A child figuring out a solution by seeing the whole
B. A student memorizing multiplication tables through repeated use
C. A student reflecting on the meaning of freedom
D. A student understanding gravity after watching a video
Answer: B. A student memorizing multiplication tables through repeated use
Explanation: Repetitive practice and trial-response reinforcement align directly with Thorndike’s theory.
60. Which of the following statements best describes Thorndike’s view of transfer of learning?
A. General skills easily apply to all areas
B. Transfer occurs only when two situations share common elements
C. Transfer depends on teacher’s instruction
D. Transfer is not possible
Answer: B. Transfer occurs only when two situations share common elements
Explanation: His Theory of Identical Elements states that learning transfers only if the tasks share similar components.