Edward Thorndike:
1. Explain Thorndike's puzzle-box experiment.
Thorndike used a puzzle box and he substituted a foot-pedal so the research could be done with cats. If the animal stepped on the switch, the door of the cage opened.The cats at first did not have any idea how to escape to reach the food outside the cage. Eventually they stepped on the foot switch accidentally and the trap door opened. On succeeding trials, they operated the switch faster.
2. Explain Thorndike's "Law of Effect".
The law of effect was when his animals repeated a behavior that resulted in a "pleasing effect". He believed if the animal produced a behavior that produced a desirable effect, the animal would repeat the behavior and this time, faster.
3. Explain Thorndike's "Law of Exercise".
The law of exercise states that connections become strengthened with practice and when its not practiced, it weakens.
B.F. Skinner:
1. Explain Skinner's concept of Operant Conditioning.
The theory was about learning by consequences; about a increasing or decreasing hte behavior by reinforcement or punishment.
2. What does reinforcement always do?
It helps the behavior to increase.
3. What does a punishment alsways do?
It helps the behavior to decrease.
4. Explain the difference between "postive" and "negative" as they are used in opernat conditioning.
Positive is when something is given to reinforce or punish and negative is when something is taken away to reinforce the behavior or punish it.
http://www.psywww.com/intropsych/ch08_animals/thorndikes_puzzle_box.html
http://tip.psychology.org/thorn.html
http://tip.psychology.org/skinner.html
