Edward Thorndike (laws of learning)

Edward Thorndike was a psychologist known for establishing fundamental principles of learning. His "laws of learning" include the Law of Effect, which states that behaviors followed by satisfying outcomes tend to be repeated, while those followed by unpleasant outcomes are less likely to recur. Through experiments with animals, Thorndike demonstrated that learning occurs gradually through trial and error, with successful behaviors becoming more frequent over time. His work laid the foundation for behaviorism and emphasized the importance of consequences in shaping behavior, highlighting how associations between actions and results influence future learning.