Which law states that practice strengthens memory and performance?

Which law states that practice strengthens memory and performance?

• A. Law of Effect
• B. Law of Readiness
• C. Law of Recency
• D. Law of Exercise

Answer: (D)

Practice strengthens memory and performance because repetition reinforces the connections involved in a task, making the response more automatic and reliable over time. This idea is captured by the Law of Exercise, which states that the more a response is used in a given situation, the more likely it is to occur again and the stronger the skill or memory becomes through repeated practice. Historically tied to Thorndike’s work on learning, this principle explains why drilling a skill or rehearsing information leads to better recall and smoother performance. Other principles address different aspects of learning. The Law of Readiness focuses on being prepared or willing to act, rather than the strengthening effect of repeated practice. The Law of Recency highlights that recently learned items are more likely to be remembered, which is about order of recall rather than practice itself. The Law of Effect emphasizes how rewards or satisfaction strengthen a response, influencing future behavior but not specifically the strengthening effect of sheer repetition.

Practice strengthens memory and performance because repetition reinforces the connections involved in a task, making the response more automatic and reliable over time. This idea is captured by the Law of Exercise, which states that the more a response is used in a given situation, the more likely it is to occur again and the stronger the skill or memory becomes through repeated practice. Historically tied to Thorndike’s work on learning, this principle explains why drilling a skill or rehearsing information leads to better recall and smoother performance.

Other principles address different aspects of learning. The Law of Readiness focuses on being prepared or willing to act, rather than the strengthening effect of repeated practice. The Law of Recency highlights that recently learned items are more likely to be remembered, which is about order of recall rather than practice itself. The Law of Effect emphasizes how rewards or satisfaction strengthen a response, influencing future behavior but not specifically the strengthening effect of sheer repetition.