This is a simple form of learning. When the individual faces a new situation, he makes a number of random movements. Out of those movements, unsuccessful ones are eliminated and the successful ones are retained.
It is general said that subtleness is the foundation of success. In today’s world of competition, seeking opportunity by faring in competitive examinations has really become indisputably a tough affair.
The cat in Thorndike's puzzle box learns to connect a response with a stimulus, which is subsequently rewarded. The learning by trial-and-error is a matter of S-R connection. Kohler's chimpanzee learns to perceive the relationships between various aspects of the stimulus situation.
The experimental study of animal learning by E. L. Thorndike (1874-1949) in the United States and his theory on trial-and-error learning provided the impetus for Skinner's experiments on instrumental or operant conditioning.
A hungry animal is placed in a new situation. The hunger drive creates the need to obtain food, and pushes the organism into action. The organism exhibits a set of natural responses (clawing, biting, pushing and pulling) to seek adjustment with the new situation.