Thorndike's law of effect suggests that behaviors will be reinforced if they are what?

Thorndike's law of effect posits that behaviors followed by satisfying or pleasurable outcomes are likely to be strengthened and repeated in the future. This principle emphasizes the role of rewards in the learning process; when a behavior leads to a positive consequence, it becomes more likely to occur again. In this context, the concept of being “rewarded” aligns directly with the core idea of the law of effect, as it highlights the reinforcement aspect that encourages the repetition of specific behaviors.

The other options do not encapsulate the essence of the law of effect. Recognition may provide validation but does not necessarily reinforce behavior. Alteration suggests changing a behavior but does not inherently indicate reinforcement or repetition. Punishment, on the other hand, is focused on decreasing the likelihood of a behavior, which is contrary to the reinforcement principle laid out by Thorndike. Therefore, the emphasis of the law of effect on positive reinforcement clearly supports the selection of “rewarded” as the correct answer.