AP Psychology Practice Test 2026 - Free AP Psychology Practice Questions and Study Guide

The principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, while behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely, is known as the Law of Effect, which was formulated by Edward Thorndike. This concept was based on Thorndike’s experiments with cats in puzzle boxes, where he observed that behaviors that led to a satisfying outcome (such as escaping the box and receiving a reward) were repeated more often, while less satisfying behaviors were not.

While Skinner is known for his work on operant conditioning, which builds on Thorndike's findings by systematically studying how reinforcements and punishments shape behavior, it is Thorndike's original principle that specifically defines the relationship between behavior and its consequences as stated in the question. Therefore, the correct answer focuses on Thorndike's foundational contribution to understanding this aspect of behavior in psychology.