What is Thorndike's First Law of Effect primarily described as?

Thorndike's First Law of Effect is described as the principle that responses followed by satisfying consequences are more likely to occur again in the future, while responses followed by uncomfortable consequences are less likely to be repeated. This concept emphasizes the relationship between an antecedent (a stimulus), the behavior (the action taken by the organism), and the consequence (the outcome that follows the behavior).

In this context, the "antecedent" represents any cues or triggers that prompt behavior, the "behavior" is the specific action taken by the dog or organism, and the "consequence" is what follows the behavior, which can either reinforce or discourage that behavior in the future. This framework is foundational in understanding how learning through reinforcement and punishment operates in animal training, ultimately influencing the likelihood of specific behaviors being repeated.

The other options do not fully capture the essence of Thorndike's First Law. While they may include elements of behavior and reinforcement, they do not encapsulate the structured relationship of antecedent, behavior, and consequence that is central to understanding the law of effect.