Edward Lee Thorndike (1874-1949) was an American psychologist and educationalist. He was one of the founders of the field of educational psychology and made important contributions to the study of learning and intelligence. He is best known for his work on behaviorism, which he developed in the early 20th century. Thorndike’s work influenced the development of modern theories of learning and intelligence, as well as the application of these theories in educational settings.
Thorndike was born in Williamsburg, Massachusetts in 1874. He received a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University in 1895 and a Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1898. After completing his doctorate, Thorndike began teaching at Columbia and later served as a professor at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Thorndike’s work focused primarily on the study of learning and intelligence, particularly the development of behaviorism. Thorndike was interested in understanding how people learn and how this process can be made more efficient. He developed a series of experiments in which he tested the behavior of animals in various situations. He used his findings to develop a theory of learning known as the “Law of Effect,” which states that behaviors that are followed by pleasant consequences are likely to be repeated, while those followed by unpleasant consequences are likely to be avoided. He also developed an influential theory of intelligence, known as the “theory of mental tests,” which posited that intelligence can be measured by a series of standardized tests.
Thorndike’s work also had a major influence on the development of modern educational theory. He argued that learning should be an active process in which students are actively engaged in the material they are studying. He was also an advocate of self-paced learning, in which students are allowed to progress at their own pace. He believed that this approach would allow students to learn more efficiently and effectively.
Thorndike’s work had a major impact on the field of psychology and education, and his theories continue to be influential today. He was an early advocate of the use of scientific methods to study human behavior, and his work helped to establish the field of educational psychology.
References
Lorch, R.F. (1983). The influence of Edward L. Thorndike on the development of psychology as a science. American Psychologist, 38(1), 9-17.
Reese, H.W., & Miller, P.H. (Eds.). (2002). Edward L. Thorndike: Portraits of an early 20th century psychologist. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Thorndike, E.L. (1911). Animal intelligence: Experimental studies. New York: Macmillan.