As a Young Doctoral Student, Edward Thorndike Set the Stage

question 378

Essay

As a young doctoral student, Edward Thorndike set the stage for the emergence of operant conditioning. Describe the research that Thorndike conducted with cats in a puzzle box. How did the cats behave at first when they wanted to reach a scrap of fish that was just outside the box? What happened over time? What conclusions did Thorndike reach? Although B. F. Skinner expanded on Thorndike's principles, Skinner avoided some terminology because it implied assumptions that Skinner felt were inappropriate. What changes did Skinner make?

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Definitions:

Injury Prevention

Strategies, practices, and policies implemented to reduce the risk of injuries in populations.

Gate Control Theory

A theory suggesting that pain is regulated or moderated by certain mechanisms in the spinal cord that can either block or allow pain signals to be sent to the brain.

Meditation

A practice of concentrated focus upon a sound, object, visualization, the breath, movement, or attention itself in order to increase awareness of the present moment, reduce stress, promote relaxation, and enhance personal and spiritual growth.

Pain Impulses

The neurological signals that are sent to the brain in response to a harmful stimulus, perceived as pain.