Which statement states that learning is most effective when a satisfying consequence follows the behavior?

Which statement states that learning is most effective when a satisfying consequence follows the behavior?

• A. Law of Effect
• B. Intrinsic motivation
• C. Short-term memory
• D. Learning is most effective when a feeling of satisfaction accompanies learning

Answer: (D)

The main concept is that learning is shaped by consequences that follow a behavior. This is Thorndike’s Law of Effect: if a behavior is followed by a satisfying outcome, that behavior is more likely to be repeated; if it’s followed by a negative outcome, it’s less likely to be repeated. So, saying that learning is most effective when a satisfying consequence follows the behavior directly captures this reinforcement idea—the positive result after the action strengthens the connection and makes the action more likely to occur again. The other ideas don’t describe how behavior is reinforced by outcomes. Intrinsic motivation is about doing something for internal reasons rather than external consequences. Short-term memory is about holding information briefly, not about reinforcing actions through outcomes. The statement about a general feeling of satisfaction accompanying learning is vague and describes internal experience rather than the reinforcement of a specific behavior after it occurs.

The main concept is that learning is shaped by consequences that follow a behavior. This is Thorndike’s Law of Effect: if a behavior is followed by a satisfying outcome, that behavior is more likely to be repeated; if it’s followed by a negative outcome, it’s less likely to be repeated. So, saying that learning is most effective when a satisfying consequence follows the behavior directly captures this reinforcement idea—the positive result after the action strengthens the connection and makes the action more likely to occur again.

The other ideas don’t describe how behavior is reinforced by outcomes. Intrinsic motivation is about doing something for internal reasons rather than external consequences. Short-term memory is about holding information briefly, not about reinforcing actions through outcomes. The statement about a general feeling of satisfaction accompanying learning is vague and describes internal experience rather than the reinforcement of a specific behavior after it occurs.