Law of Effect

The Law of Effect is a psychological principle stating that behaviors followed by satisfying outcomes are more likely to be repeated, while those followed by unpleasant outcomes are less likely to recur. Essentially, our actions are influenced by their consequences: positive results reinforce behavior, making it more probable, whereas negative results discourage it. This concept helps explain how habits form and change, and it’s a foundational idea in behaviorist learning, highlighting the role of reward and punishment in shaping future actions.