The Law of Effect

The Law of Effect, proposed by psychologist Edward Thorndike, states that behaviors followed by satisfying outcomes are more likely to be repeated, while those followed by unpleasant outcomes are less likely to recur. Essentially, if an action results in a positive result, such as reward or relief, it reinforces the behavior. Conversely, negative outcomes diminish the likelihood of the behavior happening again. This principle helps explain how habits form and change and underpins many techniques used in learning, training, and behavior modification.