Final answer:
Thorndike's Law of Effect states that behavior is ingrained relative to the consequences of the behavior, which is key to understanding operant conditioning. This principle, evident in both human and animal learning, was foundational to Skinner's work on behavior modification. Option c is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thorndike's Law of Effect states that behavior is ingrained relative to the consequences of the behavior. This principle, which falls under the umbrella of operant conditioning, suggests that behaviors that are followed by satisfactory outcomes for the organism are more likely to be repeated, whereas behaviors followed by unpleasant outcomes are less likely to recur. Developed by Edward Thorndike and later expanded upon by psychologist B.F. Skinner, this concept is critical in understanding how organisms, including humans, learn and adapt to their environments.
Operant conditioning involves the modification of behavior through reinforcement and punishment. For example, in a workplace setting, employees are more likely to continue working diligently if they receive compensation for their efforts. This type of associative learning is distinct from classical conditioning, which is based on pairing a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.
Skinner's experiments with animals, such as rats in a Skinner box, demonstrated the practical application of the Law of Effect. These animals learned to press a lever to obtain food through repeated trials where the lever-pressing behavior was rewarded. This associative learning process is a foundational concept in behavioral psychology, explaining how behaviors are acquired and modified through the consequences they produce.