Edward Thorndike

Question 1

Thorndikes life

Answer 1

1. Was an american psychologist, born in 1874
2. Studied at Harvard University + obtained his PhD at Columbia University under James McKeen Cattell
3. Became an instructor for psychology at Teachers College at Columbia University
4. Was elected to US National Academy of Sciences +
   became the second President of the psychometric society

Question 2

Thorndikes relation to Watson

Answer 2

1. Thorndike’s work set the basis for the behaviorists
2. Watson build up on Thorndike’s studies with animals on operant conditioning
3. Thorndike believed that differences in the parental behavior of men and women were due to biological, rather than cultural reasons

–> unlike Watson

Question 3

Thorndikes work

Answer 3

1. Animal psychology
   - -> puzzle box
   - -> the emergence of comparative psychology
2. Law of effect + Instrumental conditioning
   - -> resulted from puzzle box
3. Educational psychology