An eclectic view of some theories of learning

An examination of four theories of learning (trial-and-error, Gestalt insight, conditioning, and sign learning) for the purpose of pointing out unrecognized relationships among them. First, a close correspondence is shown between trial-and-error learning and insight, the differences being mainly a matter of the complexity of the problem, the rapidity of the selection of the right response, and the number of symbolic processes involved. Second, conditioning and sign learning are found to be varieties of a common process. Third, either of these pairs could be related to the other, since trial-and-error is reducible to a series of conditionings. All forms take place in any complex learning process, but it is possible to classify separately the type of learning in which elimination or reduction of response is emphasized, and the type on which new stimulus response relationships are established.