A woodchuck tries to crack a walnut shell in two different ways--with his paws and with his teeth.The last method worked and the first did not; hence,the woodchuck will be more likely to rely on his teeth for splitting the next nut.This observation illustrates the:
A)the discrimination principle.
B)the law of practice.
C)the law of effect.
D)the Premack principle.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The observation that the woodchuck is more likely to rely on his teeth for splitting the next nut illustrates the law of effect. This law states that behaviors that have favorable outcomes are more likely to be repeated in the future. In this case, cracking the nut with his teeth had a favorable outcome, whereas using his paws did not. As a result, the woodchuck is more likely to repeat the behavior that led to a positive outcome in the future.

A Woodchuck Tries to Crack a Walnut Shell in Two