E.C. Tolman on Learning and
Modified Behaviorism
Tolman initially was attracted to
Watsonian behaviorism but eventually developed a more sophisticated view of
animal and human behavior as purposive and goal-driven. We must focus on
Tolman’s legacy in the research on motivation.
Examine Tolman’s legacy in
research on motivation. In your response, include discussion of the following:
1. What
does Tolman’s theory of animal learning tell us about the motivation for human
learning?
2. How
does what we learn about motivation for human learning affect the way we should
teach both formally and informally?
3. Are
current views of human motivation consistent with Tolman’s ideas? If current
views are different, are they superior to Tolman’s? Why or why not?





