Edward L. Thorndike

Edward L. Thorndike was an American psychologist best known for his work in educational psychology and animal behavior. He developed the "Law of Effect," which states that behaviors followed by favorable outcomes are more likely to be repeated, while those followed by unfavorable outcomes are less likely to occur. Thorndike's experiments with cats in puzzle boxes led to insights about learning processes and intelligence. His contributions laid the groundwork for behaviorism and influenced teaching methods, emphasizing the importance of rewards in learning. Thorndike’s work remains significant in psychology, education, and understanding learning theory.