Which statement accurately describes Thorndike's Law of Effect?

Which statement accurately describes Thorndike's Law of Effect?

• A. It states that all behavior is driven by internal thoughts.
• B. It states that responses followed by satisfying consequences are more likely to be repeated.
• C. It states that reinforcement does not affect behavior.
• D. It states that reward always cures undesired behavior instantly.

Answer: (B)

The main concept here is that behaviors followed by satisfying outcomes are more likely to be repeated. Thorndike showed this idea through puzzle-box experiments where animals learned to perform actions that led to a favorable result, like escaping to obtain food. When a consequence was pleasant, the action that produced it tended to occur again in the future; when the outcome was unpleasant, that action became less likely. This highlights how consequences shape future behavior by reinforcing or diminishing it over time, rather than relying on internal thoughts or instant cures.

The main concept here is that behaviors followed by satisfying outcomes are more likely to be repeated. Thorndike showed this idea through puzzle-box experiments where animals learned to perform actions that led to a favorable result, like escaping to obtain food. When a consequence was pleasant, the action that produced it tended to occur again in the future; when the outcome was unpleasant, that action became less likely. This highlights how consequences shape future behavior by reinforcing or diminishing it over time, rather than relying on internal thoughts or instant cures.