Psychologist Edward Lee Thorndike was the first researcher to study operant behavior systematically. He used a puzzle box to determine how cats learn. A cat enclosed in a box struggled to escape and eventually moved the latch which opened the door. Each time the cat was placed in the box, it ceased to do those things that had proven ineffective ("errors") and soon made the successful response (move the latch) after being placed in the box. Thorndike summarized the influence of consequences in his law of effect: The consequences of a behavior will affect the likelihood of that behavior's being repeated. Behavior that brings about a satisfying effect is likely to be performed again. Moreover, the behavior would occur more quickly over time. Behavior that results in punishment is decreased.
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