In 1938, B. F. Skinner conducted experiments focusing on how behavior related to positive and negative consequences. How did Edward Thorndike pave the way for Skinner's work and the study of behaviorism?

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Violet Coleman

Social Studies

30 December, 06:55

In 1938, B. F. Skinner conducted experiments focusing on how behavior related to positive and negative consequences. How did Edward Thorndike pave the way for Skinner's work and the study of behaviorism?

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Aimee Holder · Answer 1

We can say that the most important contribution of Edward Thorndike is the formulation of the so-called law of effect, from the studies he did with cats in problem boxes from which they had to escape. The law of effect will explain Skinner's theory of operant conditioning.

According to Thorndike, learning is made up of a series of connections between a stimulus and a response, which are strengthened each time they generate a satisfactory state of affairs for the organism. This theory provided the basis upon which Burrhus Frederic Skinner then built his entire building on operant conditioning.