Final answer:
Stimulus-Response associations are at the core of classical and operant conditioning, where stimuli become connected to responses. Thorndike's Law of Effect, which states that behaviors followed by positive outcomes are likely to be repeated, is a key principle of operant conditioning and influenced B.F. Skinner's work on behavior modification through reinforcement and punishment.
Step-by-step explanation:
A Stimulus-Response (S-R) association is a fundamental concept in both classical and operant conditioning within behavioral psychology. In classical conditioning, it refers to the pairing of a stimulus (e.g., the sound of a bell) with a reflexive, unconditioned response (e.g., a dog salivating), eventually leading to a conditioned response to the conditioned stimulus. In operant conditioning, a voluntary behavior becomes associated with its consequence, thereby modifying the behavior's form, strength, or frequency.
Thorndike's Law of Effect is closely related to operant conditioning and was foundational to B. F. Skinner's research. It posits that behaviors followed by satisfying consequences are more likely to recur, while those with unpleasant consequences are less likely to be repeated. This principle is exemplified by how, in a work environment, receiving payment (a satisfying consequence) increases the likelihood of continued attendance and performance.
Skinner further developed the idea by conducting experiments in a Skinner box, illustrating that an animal's behavior could be shaped through reinforcements and punishments. An animal, such as a rat pressing a lever or a pigeon pecking a disk, would learn to associate these behaviors with the rewarding consequence of receiving food.