Thorndike's law of effect is based on studies using which subjects?

Thorndike's law of effect is based on studies using which subjects?

• A. Dogs
• B. Rats
• C. Cats in boxes
• D. Pigeons

Answer: (C)

Thorndike's law of effect is based on studies that involved cats placed in puzzle boxes. In these experiments, the cats learned to escape from the boxes to receive a reward, typically food. Thorndike observed that behaviors followed by satisfying consequences were more likely to be repeated, while those leading to discomfort were less likely to be repeated. This principle laid the groundwork for Operant Conditioning, by demonstrating how outcomes influence behavior. The specific use of cats in these studies is crucial, as it highlighted the process of trial and error learning, where the cats gradually learned the most effective actions to escape.