PSYCH 1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: B. F. Skinner, Chocolate Cake, Edward Thorndike
Document Summary
Work with cats in his puzzle boxes . From this research, he generated the idea of instrumental learning how we learn to evoke different behaviors and repertoires in different environments. Instrumental learning was based on several laws. Law of recency - the most recent response is likely to reoccur. Law of use - connections become strengthened with practice and weakened when practice is discontinued. Law of effect - behaviors producing favorable consequences become more likely; ones that produce unfavorable consequences become less likely. It"s not the number of exposures we have, but the frequency at which we are exposed to things that cause us to create connections and routines. Worked with his pigeons and rats in what were called operant chambers (now called skinner boxes) Was able to create this new type of research which led to operant conditioning. Attempted to expand on thorndike"s original theories of instrumental learning and especially the law of effect.
