In the late 1800s, Edward Thorndike observed cats placed in a specially designed box. When a cat pressed a lever (BLANK), the cat could leave through a door that opened-a " (BLANK) state of affairs" for the cat, as Thorndike termed it. Over time, the cats learned to press the lever (BLANK). Learning a behavior by observing the consequences is called (BLANK) conditioning. Thorndike called the tendency of behavior with desirable results to be repeated the (BLANK)

- by accident

- satisfying

- deliberately

- operant

- law of effect

- By accident.

- Satisfying

- Deliberately

- Operant

- Law of effect.

Explanation:

As per the question, the given blanks could best be filled with the given options and the paragraph reads as;

"In the late 1800s, Edward Thorndike observed cats placed in a specially designed box. When a cat pressed a lever by accident, the cat could leave through a door that opened-a "satisfying state of affairs" for the cat, as Thorndike termed it. Over time, the cats learned to press the lever deliberately. Learning a behavior by observing the consequences is called Operant conditioning. Thorndike called the tendency of behavior with desirable results to be repeated the law of effect"

The famous psychologist named Edward Thorndike proposed the theory of 'Operant Conditioning' in which the individuals learn a specific behavior through observing the consequences or results from their behavior. If the response or consequence is favorable or rewarding, the probability of such behavior is strengthened as done by cat in the given example. While the opposite happens (a behavior is prevented) when the consequence is unfavorable.