ethod called "successive approximations." This method can be used when the goal is beyond the reach of the students. First, conditions are controlled that would enable the students to perform the behavior that is within their reach. Once that goal is accomplished, the students are pushed a little further to perform the next objective. This process continues until the students are able to perform the true objective. Such a system is very effective in programmed instruction that employs a step-by-step approach, thus breaking down a complex process into simple steps in order to guide the students towards accomplishing the task.9
Thorndike formed his theory of associative learning from observing the responses of animals in experimental settings. When they performed the prescribed behavior, they were given a reward. The performance of the animals improved when they were placed in the experimental setting with greater frequency.10 Although Thorndike conceded that the way human beings think differs from animals, he believed that both human beings and animals think by making associations between their behavior and the changes in the environment.11 Thus, Thorndike believed that all human beings learn by making associations between their behavior and the changes in their environment. He claimed that human beings could be taught new skills by the same methods, though with much better results because of the complexity of the human mind. In Thorndike's perception, human beings learn by making complex associations between different actions. For example, for a man to learn to open the door, he has to insert the key into the keyhole, turn the key, then the door knob and then pull the door open.12 In addition, compared to animals, human beings make a high number of associations through their work activities and education.13 Still, like animals, human beings can be trained to establish a great number of associations in order to acquire ne...