FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

Who is E.L. Thorndike?

1. A behavioral theorist known for the law of effect

2. A sociocultural theorist focused on language acquisition

3. A cognitive psychologist who led studies on memory

4. A constructivist educator advocating for active learning

The correct answer is: A behavioral theorist known for the law of effect

E.L. Thorndike was a prominent psychologist best known for his contributions to the field of education and psychology, particularly through the formulation of the law of effect. This principle asserts that responses followed by satisfying outcomes are more likely to occur again in the future, while responses followed by unpleasant outcomes are less likely to be repeated. Thorndike's experiments with animals, particularly his work with cats in puzzle boxes, demonstrated how learning occurs through trial and error and reinforced the idea that behaviors can be shaped by their consequences. His work laid the foundation for later behavioral theories and is integral to understanding learning processes in educational psychology.