Which psychologist is credited with foundational behaviorist work and the laws of effect, readiness, and exercise?

• A. B. F. Skinner
• B. John Watson
• C. Edward Thorndike
• D. Ivan Pavlov

Answer: (C)

Edward Thorndike is known for establishing early behaviorist ideas and for formulating three influential laws: the Law of Effect, the Law of Readiness, and the Law of Exercise. In his puzzle-box experiments, he observed that when an action led to a satisfying result, the likelihood of repeating that action increased, while actions followed by frustration or discomfort became less likely. This highlights how consequences shape learning, which is the essence of the Law of Effect. The Law of Readiness emphasizes that learning proceeds best when the learner is prepared to act and the right opportunity exists; if a person or animal is not ready, attempting the action can cause frustration and hinder learning. The Law of Exercise stresses that practice strengthens the connection between a stimulus and response, while lack of practice weakens it. These ideas laid the groundwork for instrumental (operant) learning and heavily influenced later behaviorists, even though others like Pavlov and Watson explored different aspects of behavior.