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OPERANT CONDITIONING�REVIEW

For each example tell whether the underlined behavior will recur.

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DIRECTIONS

  • Focus on the underlined behavior and identify whether…
    • The consequence for doing that behavior was Good ☺ or Bad ☹ or Nothing O
    • Then determine if the behavior is likely to increase ( ) or decrease ( )
    • Finally say which term of operant conditioning is being shown –
      • Neg. Reinforcement (Escape or Avoidance)
      • Pos. Reinforcement
      • Neg. Punishment (Punishment by Removal)
      • Pos. Punishment (Punishment by Application)
      • Extinction

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Scenario 1

A student volunteers to answer a tough question in class, and the teacher comments favorably on the quality of the student’s contribution.

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Scenario 1�Answers

  • Increase Behavior
  • Positive Reinforcement

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Scenario 2

A wife brings home flowers to her husband because of the special dinner he had cooked for her.

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Scenario 2�Answers

  • Increase Behavior
  • Positive Reinforcement

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Scenario 3

A child is sent to his room with no supper after presenting a bad report card.

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Scenario 3�Answers

  • Decrease Behavior
  • Negative Punishment (Punishment by Removal)

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Scenario 4

Dad & tot enter the checkout lane of the supermarket. When the child screams for candy, dad pops a sucker in her mouth to quiet her down.

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Scenario 4�Answers

  • Increase Behavior
  • Positive Reinforcement

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Scenario 5

A child spills milk all over the supper table, and Mom (having had a very bad day) swoops the child up from the high chair and spanks him.

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Scenario 5�Answers

  • Decrease Behavior
  • Positive Punishment (Punishment by Application)

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Scenario 6

A student has a terrible muscle soreness after an intense workout has found Advil will relieve his pain. The next time he goes to work out, he takes two Advil before working out to prevent pain later.

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Scenario 6�Answers

  • Increase Behavior
  • Negative Reinforcement (Avoidance)

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Scenario 7

Two children, who usually spend most of their time fighting, finally play peaceably over a coloring book. Dad peeks in and sighs, “At last, they are getting along.” He returns to work without saying anything to them.

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Scenario 7�Answers

  • O
  • Decrease Behavior
  • Extinction

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Scenario 8

As a spoiled child is being driven by a fast-food restaurant, she begins screaming that she must have french fries or she won’t survive. The parents surrender and drive in for a large supply.

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Scenario 8�Answers

  • Increase Behavior
  • Negative Reinforcement (Escape)

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Scenario 9

A teenager whines about having nothing to do. Dad gives him a lecture about all the stuff in his room and the good old days when he, the father, didn’t have all that stuff but still managed to be happy.

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Scenario 9�Answers

If you view lecture as nothing:

  • O
  • Decrease Behavior
  • Extinction

If you view lecture as bad:

  • Decrease Behavior
  • Positive Punishment (by application)

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Scenario 10

A terrorist applies an electric current to the feet of a spy to make her confess. She tells him everything she knows.

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Scenario 10�Answers

  • Increase Behavior
  • Negative Reinforcement (by escape)