Psychology / Unit 5 Psych 0539 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Law of Effect
Captions available
The idea
Thorndike's law of effect states that behaviors followed by satisfying consequences become more likely and those followed by unpleasant ones less likely.
In practice
A cat escapes a puzzle box faster on each trial as successful movements are followed by release and food.
Where people slip
The law describes a relationship between behavior and consequence. It says nothing about what the animal understands.
Your place on the trail
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