How can Thorndike's law of effect account for why someone would self-injure?
A) People who self-injure don't have free nerve endings and therefore don't feel pain.
B) People who self-injure are immune to punishment and only learn through reinforcing techniques.
C) People who self-injure interpret painful stimuli as being positively reinforcing.
D) People who self-injure are negatively reinforced by removing inner pain.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Thorndike's law of effect states that behavior is strengthened or weakened by the consequences that follow it. In the case of self-injury, the behavior is negatively reinforced by the temporary relief from emotional pain that follows after the injury. This reinforces the behavior and increases the likelihood of it repeating in the future.

How Can Thorndike's Law of Effect Account for Why Someone