Experiment: Discovering New Knowledge Through Observation

What did the cats in Thorndike's puzzle box experiment learn?

They might become trapped by the puzzle box, but there would be no reward.

Answer:

The cats in Thorndike's puzzle box experiment learned that pressing a pedal in the presence of a reward (a fish) resulted in receiving the reward. On the other hand, pressing against anything in the puzzle box without the presence of the pedal did not lead to a reward.

Experiment: A Source of Discovery

Experiments play a crucial role in the process of acquiring new knowledge and understanding the world around us. Through experiments, researchers are able to test hypotheses, analyze the effects of different variables, and draw conclusions based on empirical evidence.

Thorndike's puzzle box experiment with cats is a classic example of an experiment that helped shed light on the principles of learning and behavior. By observing how the cats interacted with the puzzle box and the rewards inside, Thorndike was able to draw conclusions about how animals learn through trial and error.

In the experiment, the cats learned through a process of association between their actions (pressing a pedal) and the outcomes (receiving a fish). This type of associative learning is a fundamental aspect of behaviorism and has implications for understanding human behavior as well.

Overall, experiments like Thorndike's puzzle box experiment demonstrate the power of observation and empirical evidence in expanding our knowledge and understanding of the world.