Thorndike tracked the behavior of each cat across many trials.In the beginning, the animals moved around the box at random.But as soon as the lever had been pressed and the door opened, the process of learning began.Gradually, each cat learned to associate the action of pressing the lever with the reward of escaping the box and getting to the food.After twenty to thirty trials, this behavior became so automatic and habitual that the cat could escape within a few seconds.For example, Thorndike noted, “Cat 12 took the following times to perform the act. 160 seconds, 30 seconds, 90 seconds, 60, 15, 28, 20, 30, 22, 11, 15, 20, 12, 10, 14, 10, 8, 8, 5, 10, 8, 6, 6, 7.”During the first three trials, the cat escaped in an average of 1.5 minutes.During the last three trials, it escaped in an average of 6.3 seconds.With practice, each cat made fewer errors and their actions became quicker and more automatic.Rather than repeat the same mistakes, the cat began to cut straight to the solution.
From his studies, Thorndike described the learning process by stating, “behaviors followed by satisfying consequences tend to be repeated and those that produce unpleasant consequences are less likely to be repeated.”His work provides the perfect starting point for discussing how habits form in our own lives.It also provides answers to some fundamental questions like: What are habits? And why does the brain bother building them at all?
Ex: For example, if you want to improve your writing, practice every day. 例如,如果你想提高写作能力,每天练习。
“For example”是用来引出例证,解释和支持前述内容。
Noted[nəʊtɪd]
指出
Ex: He noted that the experiment would require more time. 他指出实验需要更多时间。
“Noted”表示做出观察或记录,强调桑代克的观察。
Times[taɪmz]
时间
Ex: She checked the times for the next bus. 她查看了下一班公交车的时间。
“Times”指的是测量猫逃脱的时间。
Perform[pərˈfɔːm]
执行
Ex: He performed the task with great skill. 他以极高的技巧执行任务。
“Perform”指的是执行某个动作,在此处表示猫执行的任务。
Act[ækt]
行为
Ex: Her act of kindness was greatly appreciated. 她的善举得到了极大的赞赏。
“Act”指的是行为或动作,强调猫在箱子中的行为。
Seconds[ˈsɛkəndz]
秒
Ex: He ran the race in under 10 seconds. 他在10秒内完成了比赛。
“Seconds”是时间单位,表示每次实验时猫逃脱所用的时间。
During the first three trials, the cat escaped in an average of 1.5 minutes.
在前三次实验中,猫平均用时1.5分钟逃脱。
During[ˈdjʊərɪŋ]
在…期间
Ex: During the meeting, we discussed various topics. 在会议期间,我们讨论了各种话题。
“During”表示某一时间段内的事件,强调猫逃脱行为发生的时段。
First[fɜːrst]
第一
Ex: She was the first to arrive at the party. 她是第一个到达派对的人。
“First”表示实验中的前三次,强调这是猫学习的初期阶段。
Three[θriː]
三
Ex: We stayed there for three days. 我们在那里待了三天。
“Three”指实验中前三次的测量。
Escaped[ɪsˈkeɪpt]
逃脱
Ex: The prisoner managed to escape from the dungeon. 囚犯设法从地牢逃脱。
“Escaped”指猫从箱子中逃脱的行为。
Average[ˈævərɪdʒ]
平均
Ex: The average temperature for today is 25°C. 今天的平均温度是25摄氏度。
“Average”指猫逃脱时间的平均值。
Minutes[ˈmɪnɪts]
分钟
Ex: The meeting lasted for 45 minutes. 会议持续了45分钟。
“Minutes”是时间单位,用来表示猫逃脱所用的时间。
During the last three trials, it escaped in an average of 6.3 seconds.
在最后三次实验中,猫平均用时6.3秒逃脱。
During[ˈdjʊərɪŋ]
在...期间
Ex: He studied hard during the semester to prepare for the exam. 他在学期期间努力学习,为考试做准备。
“During”表示某个时间段内的情况,强调了实验进行的时间。
Last[læst]
最后的
Ex: He was the last person to arrive at the party. 他是最后一个到达派对的人。
“Last”指的是实验的最后几次,强调了猫逃脱行为逐渐优化的阶段。
Trials[ˈtraɪəlz]
实验
Ex: The scientist ran several trials to test the hypothesis. 科学家进行了多次实验来测试假设。
“Trials”指的是实验中的每次尝试,强调猫的实验过程。
Escaped[ɪsˈkeɪpt]
逃脱
Ex: The cat managed to escape from the cage. 猫设法从笼子里逃脱。
“Escaped”指的是猫在实验中逃脱的动作,展示了它从困境中脱离的行为。
Average[ˈævərɪdʒ]
平均的
Ex: The average temperature in July is 30°C. 七月的平均温度是30摄氏度。
“Average”指的是在多次实验中,猫逃脱所需的时间的平均值,展示了猫表现的改进。
Seconds[ˈsɛkəndz]
秒
Ex: He ran the 100-meter race in under ten seconds. 他在10秒内跑完了100米的比赛。
“Seconds”是时间的单位,表示猫所需的逃脱时间。
With practice, each cat made fewer errors and their actions became quicker and more automatic.
通过练习,每只猫犯的错误更少,动作变得更快、更自动化。
Practice[ˈpræktɪs]
练习
Ex: He practiced the piano every day to improve his skills. 他每天练习钢琴来提高技能。
“Practice”指的是重复某个行为的过程,在此指猫通过不断练习改进逃脱的表现。
Fewer[ˈfjuːər]
更少的
Ex: I have fewer books than she does. 我的书比她少。
“Fewer”表示数量上的减少,强调猫犯错的频率在下降。
Errors[ˈɛrəz]
错误
Ex: She made a few errors in her calculations. 她在计算中犯了一些错误。
“Errors”指的是猫在逃脱过程中出现的错误,随着练习减少。
Actions[ˈækʃənz]
动作
Ex: Her actions showed her commitment to the cause. 她的行动显示了她对事业的承诺。
“Actions”指的是猫在实验中执行的行为,强调行为的变化。
Rather than repeat the same mistakes, the cat began to cut straight to the solution.
猫开始直接找到解决办法,而不是重复同样的错误。
Rather than[ˈræðər ðæn]
而不是
Ex: Rather than going home, we decided to go for a walk. 我们决定去散步,而不是回家。
“Rather than”用来表达两种选择之间的对比,强调猫选择了更有效的解决办法。
Repeat[rɪˈpiːt]
重复
Ex: You should not repeat the same mistake twice. 你不应该犯同样的错误两次。
“Repeat”指重复之前的行为,强调猫避免重复错误的选择。
Mistakes[mɪˈsteɪks]
错误
Ex: She learned from her mistakes and became a better person. 她从错误中吸取教训,变得更好。
“Mistakes”指猫在逃脱过程中犯下的错误,强调通过练习它减少了错误。
Cut straight to[kʌt streɪt tu]
直接切入
Ex: Instead of wasting time, she cut straight to the point in her presentation. 她没有浪费时间,而是直接切入了她的演讲要点。
“Cut straight to”表示直接进入重点,强调猫从错误中跳过并直接找到正确方法。
Solution[səˈluːʃən]
解决方案
Ex: We need to find a solution to the problem as soon as possible. 我们需要尽快找到问题的解决方案。
“Solution”指的是猫最终能够有效地完成任务的答案,表示其行为变得更高效。
From his studies, Thorndike described the learning process by stating, “behaviors followed by satisfying consequences tend to be repeated and those that produce unpleasant consequences are less likely to be repeated.”
1. Identity-Based Goals: From "Doing" to "Becoming"
The true aim of habit change is not the achievement itself, but a shift in identity. As the source explains, the goal is not just to stop smoking or run a marathon, but to become a non-smoker or a runner. This aligns with our previous discussions: when you focus on who you wish to become rather than just what you want to achieve, the habit becomes a permanent part of your self-image.
2. Actions as "Votes" for Your Future Self
A central concept mentioned in the source is that every action is a vote for the person you want to become. This provides a powerful framework for daily life:
Comprehensive Scope: It is not just major actions that count; every thought, belief, or judgment you have also casts a vote for your future identity.
Consistency: Every choice, whether big or small, is an opportunity to reinforce the version of yourself you are trying to build.
3. The Accumulation of Evidence
Identity does not change overnight; it is transformed through the collection of proof. When you collect enough evidence through your daily actions, those "votes" begin to influence and reshape your identity. This reinforces the 1% rule we discussed previously—each small, daily improvement acts as a new piece of evidence that compounds into a total life transformation.
4. Mindset Reframing
By viewing your daily life through this "voting" lens, you can reframe mundane habits as active self-creation. Instead of focusing on the difficulty of a task, you focus on the evidence you are providing to yourself that you are becoming the person you want to be.
Summary Insight: This video deepens the connection between systems and identity. By treating every action as a vote, you utilize the leverage of tiny habits to build a mountain of evidence. This evidence eventually shifts your core beliefs, making your new habits a natural expression of who you are rather than a constant struggle of willpower.