PSYB45H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning Chamber, Saccharin
Document Summary
Edward l. thorndlike conducted a study comparing the learning processes in animals including 13 cats and 3 dogs. He placed an animal in an closed apparatus called a puzzle box that had a latch that would open a door, enabling release from the box. The cats seemed more interested in gaining release to escape confinement than to get food. A pattern of trial and error : trial- the time it took each animal to escape decreased gradually from trial to trial. Even after several successful escapes, the animals would not run to and trigger the latch immediately on being put in the box but seems to trigger it eventually while engaging in other activities. Thorndike later talked about the law of effect- satisfying consequences such as rewards or escape from unpleasant circumstances, strengthened stimulus-response connections gradually in the process of learning. Learning processes in animals with an apparatus often called the skinner box.
