When was Edward Thorndike born and where did he grow up?
Edward Lee Thorndike was born in Williamsburg, Massachusetts. His father Edward R Thorndike served as a Methodist minister in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Questions about Edward Thorndike
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What experiments did Edward Thorndike conduct with cats to study learning?
Thorndike constructed wooden boxes approximately 20 inches long, 15 inches wide, and 12 inches tall to test animal escape behaviors. Cats served as the primary subjects for these experiments until they stepped on a switch by chance to open the door.
How does Edward Thorndikes Law of Effect explain behavior repetition?
The Law of Effect states behaviors followed by good consequences are likely to be repeated. Thorndike emphasized that satisfaction must follow success immediately for lessons to sink in.
What role did Edward Thorndike play during World War I?
Thorndike worked for the United States Army during World War I and participated in developing the Army Beta test. This evaluation method assessed illiterate, unschooled, and non-English speaking recruits.
Why was Edward Thorndikes name removed from Thorndike Hall in 2020?
The Board of Trustees of Teachers College voted unanimously to remove his name from Thorndike Hall amid George Floyd protests of 2020. Critics cite his racist, sexist, and antisemitic ideals as reasons for this decision.