Question

Todd, a 3-year-old, enjoys having books read to him and frequently asked to be read to. Todd hates to have his hair washed and will run and hide if he sees his parent get the shampoo out. Edward Thorndike would explain his behaviors using the law of:

Answer 1

Answer: Edward Thorndike law of effect.

Explanation:The law of effect suggested that responses closely followed by satisfaction will become firmly attached to the situation and, therefore, more likely to reoccur when the situation is repeated. Conversely, if the situation is followed by discomfort, the connections to the situation will become weaker, and the behavior of response is less likely to occur when the situation is repeated.

In the case of Todd, the act of reading to him brings so much satisfaction to him that he request for books to be continually read to him. Conversely, because of of discomfort washing his hair brings, hes connection to the situation is weak and thus goes into hiding anytime he sees his parent with shampoo because he assumes that they want to wash his hair.