Errorless learning

Errorless learning was an <a href="/facts/Instructional_design/rXf8Ww1J">instructional design</a> introduced by psychologist <a href="/facts/Charles_Ferster/XjckfyjN">Charles Ferster</a> in the 1950s as part of his studies on what would make the most effective learning environment. <a href="/facts/B._F._Skinner/cexUumu1">B. F. Skinner</a> was also influential in developing the technique, noting that, <blockquote>...errors are not necessary for learning to occur. Errors are not a function of learning or vice versa nor are they blamed on the learner. Errors are a function of poor analysis of behavior, a poorly designed shaping program, moving too fast from step to step in the program, and the lack of the prerequisite behavior necessary for success in the program.</blockquote> Errorless learning can also be understood at a synaptic level, using the principle of <a href="/facts/Hebbian_learning/Mmtd6Dzt">Hebbian learning</a> ("Neurons that fire together wire together").
Many of Skinner's other students and followers continued to test the idea. In 1963, <a href="/facts/Herbert_Terrace/9HCsR5GG">Herbert Terrace</a> wrote a paper describing an experiment with pigeons which allows <a href="/facts/Discrimination_learning/AfTqkK1R">discrimination learning</a> to occur with few or even with no responses to the negative stimulus (abbreviated S−). A negative <a href="/facts/Stimulus_(psychology)/el6C43FY">stimulus</a> is a stimulus associated with undesirable consequences (e.g., absence of <a href="/facts/Reinforcement/bn271VLa">reinforcement</a>). In discrimination learning, an error is a response to the S−, and according to Terrace errors are not required for successful discrimination performance.

Errorless learning open-in-new

Errorless learning