American psychologist Edward C Tolman propounded this theory in 1932 with the
publica on of his work ‘Purposive Behavior in Animals and Men’. This theory is also known
as Expectency theory and, sign gestalt theory and purposive behaviorism theory.
Tolman rejected the idea of introspec on as a method of studying human behavior. On
the contrary he believed the objec ng method of collec ng data. He remarked that we
don’t only respond to the s mulus but we act on beliefs and express a tudes. Behavior can
be modified experience and training.
Tolman’s theory combines the advantages of s mulus response theories and cogni ve field
theories. He published his major work en tled ‘Purposive Behavior in Animals and
Men’(1932) and recorded the result of his experiments. He revised his theory in 1949.
According to the findings of this theory, the learner doesn’t reach the goal in fixed sequence
of movements but changes his behavior according to the varia on in condi ons.
The main features of this theory are as follows:
1. It accepts behaviorism as basis
Main characteris cs of behavior are
a) Behavior is goal oriented and it is purposive
b) Behavior makes use of environmental factors as means for ge ng at the goal.
c) Behavior consists of the forma on of cogni ve maps.
d) The organism has a selec ve preference for the principle of least effort for arriving at
the goal.
e) Molar behavior is docile.
2. According to Tolman the behavior depends upon
a) The need system.
b) The belief value and
c) The behavior space
3. This theory takes into considera on that learning is based upon some signs or clues
leading to the goal. The organism learns not the movement pa erns, but the sign
significa ve rela ons.
Educa onal implica on of this theory:
According to this theory reinforcement is not pre requisite for learning but it results in
be er and effec ve learning.
publica on of his work ‘Purposive Behavior in Animals and Men’. This theory is also known
as Expectency theory and, sign gestalt theory and purposive behaviorism theory.
Tolman rejected the idea of introspec on as a method of studying human behavior. On
the contrary he believed the objec ng method of collec ng data. He remarked that we
don’t only respond to the s mulus but we act on beliefs and express a tudes. Behavior can
be modified experience and training.
Tolman’s theory combines the advantages of s mulus response theories and cogni ve field
theories. He published his major work en tled ‘Purposive Behavior in Animals and
Men’(1932) and recorded the result of his experiments. He revised his theory in 1949.
According to the findings of this theory, the learner doesn’t reach the goal in fixed sequence
of movements but changes his behavior according to the varia on in condi ons.
The main features of this theory are as follows:
1. It accepts behaviorism as basis
Main characteris cs of behavior are
a) Behavior is goal oriented and it is purposive
b) Behavior makes use of environmental factors as means for ge ng at the goal.
c) Behavior consists of the forma on of cogni ve maps.
d) The organism has a selec ve preference for the principle of least effort for arriving at
the goal.
e) Molar behavior is docile.
2. According to Tolman the behavior depends upon
a) The need system.
b) The belief value and
c) The behavior space
3. This theory takes into considera on that learning is based upon some signs or clues
leading to the goal. The organism learns not the movement pa erns, but the sign
significa ve rela ons.
Educa onal implica on of this theory:
According to this theory reinforcement is not pre requisite for learning but it results in
be er and effec ve learning.
