"If the occurrence of an operant is followed by presentation of a reinforcing stimulus, the strength is increased." Who wrote this statement?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is (1): E. L. Thorndike

The statement, "If the occurrence of an operant is followed by presentation of a reinforcing stimulus, the strength is increased," is a direct articulation of the core principle of Edward L. Thorndike’s **Law of Effect**. This law is the foundational concept for all instrumental and operant conditioning. Thorndike formulated this law around the turn of the 20th century, stating that behaviors followed by satisfying consequences are more likely to be repeated, and those followed by discomfort are less likely to be repeated. Although the term 'operant' was later popularized by Skinner, the conceptual relationship described—where a voluntary behavior is strengthened by a consequence—is the enduring legacy and definition of Thorndike's Law of Effect. His work laid the scientific groundwork for understanding how reinforcement shapes voluntary behavior.

The incorrect option is (2): B. F. Skinner
While B. F. Skinner is the most famous figure associated with **Operant Conditioning** and popularized the terms "operant" and "reinforcing stimulus," he did not *write* the foundational law described in the statement; he elaborated upon it. Skinner's contribution was developing a comprehensive, systematic philosophy and methodology for studying the functional relationship between behavior and its consequences. He focused on the *contingency* of reinforcement—the relationship between the operant, the consequence, and the context—but the core principle of consequences increasing the strength of a response belongs to Thorndike.

The incorrect option is (3): Ivan Pavlov
Ivan Pavlov is the pioneer of **Classical Conditioning** (also known as Pavlovian or respondent conditioning). This type of learning involves forming associations between two stimuli (a conditioned stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus) to elicit an **involuntary** or reflexive response (like salivation). The statement, however, is describing the modification of an **operant**, which is a voluntary, goal-directed behavior influenced by its consequences. Therefore, the theory presented is fundamentally different from Pavlov’s work on stimulus-stimulus association.

The incorrect option is (4): Wolfgang Kohler
Wolfgang Kohler was a prominent figure in **Gestalt Psychology**, a school of thought that emphasized that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. He is most famous for his experiments on **Insight Learning**, where he showed that learning can occur suddenly, through the abrupt realization of a problem's solution, rather than through trial-and-error learning and reinforcement. This cognitive, problem-solving approach is completely at odds with the behaviorist, consequence-driven learning model described in the statement.