PSYB45H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Edward Thorndike, Itch, Operant Conditioning Chamber
Document Summary
1980: edward thorndike study, he had 13 cats and 3 dogs in which were placed in boxes, with a tiny escape door where they would exit if they were hungry. Food was placed outside so that they could see and smell. By observing the animal s actions, he found that cats were likely to escape confinement than to get food and their behaviors differ from that of dogs. Pattern of trials and errors across trials: each time the animals escapes, it gradually reduced in time. And each time they were put back into the boxes, they would not run and escape immediately. It was only done so through certain activities. This than led to the law of effect: satisfying consequences, such as rewards of escapes from unpleasant circumstances, strengthen stimulus-response connections gradually in the process of learning.
