The psychology of learning / by Edward L. Thorndike.

  • Edward Thorndike
Date:
1913
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Licence: In copyright

Credit: The psychology of learning / by Edward L. Thorndike. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    three improving- on the average 38 % in the training series, got in ‘reasoning’ scores 0% better in the ‘after training’ than in the ‘before training’ tests. A group of five improving 33 % in the training series got in ‘reasoning’ scores on the average 13% better in the ‘after training’ than in the ‘before training’ series. A group of five improving 3% in the train- ing series got in ‘reasoning’ scores <on the average 21% better in the ‘after training’ than in the ‘before training’ series. Similar figures for groups in Class IV are: A group of 4 with 27% in training and Z°/o in test series ti (( a 3 (( 26% a it it 9% a a a it a a 5 (i 16% a it it 27% a a a a n a 4 (( 7% a it it 15% it a a So far as the facts go, then, the pupils improving most in the training series showed less gain in the test series than those who improved least in the training series. This, with other facts, justifies Mr. Winch’s caution that ‘much more of this work needs to be done.’ That very great improvement in one special ability may bring nowhere nearly equal improvement, even in abilities commonly regarded as much like it, is illustrated by the few measurements that have been made of experts. Thus Jastrow [’96] found that Hermann and Kellar, experts at sleight-of- hand, could be detected in their tricks if required to perform them in slightly different ways, and that in the speed of re- actions with discriminations and choice, and in laboratory tests of tactual and muscular reaction, they were rather below the average of college students. In tests of visual perception they made only fair records. Similarly Raif [’00] reports that expert pianists cannot tap (as with a telegraph key) more rapidly than ordinary persons of the same degree of general ability. The experiments on the amount and rate of improve-
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