Thorndike's and Skinner's Theories

Edward Thorndike:

1. Explain Thorndike's puzzle-box experiment.

Thorndike used a puzzle-box to carry out his experiment. Instead of using a monkey and a latch like in Watson’s experiment, he replaced the money with a cat and the latch with a foot-pedal. Through trial and error, the cat was supposed to step on the switch to open the cage. Eventually, after unsuccessful trials, the cat discovered the switch and was freed faster.

2. Explain Thorndike's "Law of Effect".

Thorndike’s theory of “Law of Effect” consisted of the repeated behavior of an animal that resulted in a pleasing effect (reinforcement/reward: food). The cat, after various phases of errors, could realize the function of the switch and therefore associated the stimulus (cage) with the response (stepping on the switch). Every time the response occurred faster because the cat’s actions brought a positive consequence.

3. Explain Thorndike's "Law of Exercise".

This theory states that the satisfying results of an event are more likely to produce a pattern and a response to the same stimulus. It states that with practice of associations, behavior is strongly established when there are frequent links of the response and the stimulus.

B.F. Skinner:

1. Explain Skinner's concept of Operant Conditioning.

Operant Conditioning refers to the behavior alterations because of a series of reinforcements or punishments. The everyday behavior of a person is acquired because of this learning method.

2. What does reinforcement always do?

Reinforcement creates positive consequences within the behavior of a person. It supports good behavior by offering incentives.

3. What does a punishment always do?

Punishment diminishes a certain negative behavior. It penalizes an action so the person does not repeat the same behavior again.

4. Explain the difference between "positive" and "negative" as they are used in operant conditioning.

“Positive”, in the operant conditioning, refers to a GIVEN reward that will increase the probability of the positive behavior again. On the contrary, a “negative reinforcer” refers to the REMOVAL of something, often causing an unpleasant stimulus. A “negative reinforcer” is used in order to stop a negative behavior.

Works Cited

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/689639/Thorndikes-law-of-exercise

http://www.psywww.com/intropsych/ch08_animals/thorndikes_puzzle_box.html

http://tip.psychology.org/skinner.html

http://www.scienceclarified.com/Qu-Ro/Reinforcement-Positive-and-Negative.html