Question

the following question refers to the cat experiments conducted by edward thorndike.

after receiving a reward for escaping the puzzle box, the cats _______

a. appeared to enjoy the box more
b. escaped more slowly
c. gradually learned to escape more quickly
d. increased the length of time in the box

please select the best answer from the choices provided

a
b
c
d

Explanation:

Analyze Thorndike's puzzle box experiments

Edward Thorndike placed hungry cats inside puzzle boxes where they had to perform a specific action (like pulling a loop or pressing a lever) to escape and receive a food reward.

Evaluate the learning curve

Thorndike observed that the cats did not have a sudden flash of insight. Instead, through trial and error, the successful behaviors were reinforced by the food reward (the Law of Effect), leading to a gradual decrease in the time taken to escape across successive trials.

Match with the correct option

The observation that cats gradually learned to escape more quickly corresponds directly to option C.

Answer:

• A. appeared to enjoy the box more
• B. escaped more slowly
• C. gradually learned to escape more quickly (Correct answer)
• D. increased the length of time in the box