O. A. Thorndike (O. Lee Thorndike)

O. A. Thorndike, also known as O. Lee Thorndike, was a psychologist best known for his research on animal behavior and learning. He conducted experiments with cats in puzzle boxes, studying how they learn to escape through trial and error. His work helped develop the concept of "operant conditioning," which explains how behaviors are reinforced or diminished based on consequences. Thorndike’s findings laid foundational principles for subsequent behavioral psychology, emphasizing that animals and humans learn through experience and reinforcement rather than innate knowledge alone.