What is Stimulus Response Theory? 

The Stimulus Response Theory is an idea by behaviourist Edward Thorndike, which focuses on the learning of knowledge, skills and behaviours through the process of association, linked with the ideas of Operant Conditioning and the processes of learning through effects, either positive or negative. This association has been split into three sections, which Thorndike describes as laws. These three laws each focus on a different but connected aspect of the learning process. They are the law of effect, law of exercise and law of readiness. Each of these laws focuses on the idea of learning being a stimulus to response. Alongside this, Thorndike also believed that learning depended on the strength of the connection between the stimulus and the response and that the more these connections were repeated, used and reinforced, the stronger the learning would be.

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Law of Effect  

The law of effect focuses on, as the name suggests, the effect or response to the stimulus and action. Thorndike suggested that if the response produces a satisfying or positive effect for an individual in a particular situation, then the connection between the stimulus and response would be strengthened and, as such, becomes more likely to occur again in that situation. However, he also identified that the opposite is also true. If a response produces a negative response in a particular situation, then the connection is weakened or broken and, as such, is less likely to reoccur.

This is also where Thorndike began to study and identify a specific process in learning, which would later become known as learning through trial and error.

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Law of Exercise 

The next law in the Stimulus Response Theory is that of the Law of Exercise. This law focuses on the frequencies of the stimulus and response and states that the more often that this connection occurs and the more often that this connection is positively reinforced, the stronger the connection becomes, and as a result, the likelihood of its use increases.

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Law of Readiness 

The final law within the Stimulus Response Theory focuses on the readiness of an individual to learn and how this readiness impacts the quality, quantity and effectiveness of an individual in learning new knowledge, skills and behaviours through the process of stimulus and response. The Law of Readiness states that the connection between a stimulus and a response is generally strengthened when the individual is ready to learn. However, Thorndike also states that if an individual is not ready to learn, the connections can still be made. However, they will be weaker and less effective.