Question

Joanne does not want to go to school because she didn’t do her calculus homework and isn’t ready for her test. She tells her mother that she has a terrible headache. Her mother shows concern, agrees to let her stay home, and makes Joanne her favorite breakfast. Define all of the following terms and explain how each applies to this situation. • Operant conditioning • Primary reinforcement • Negative reinforcement

Answer 1

Operant conditioning (sometimes referred to as instrumental conditioning) is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior. Through operant conditioning, an association is made between a behavior and a consequence for that behavior.

→ she didn't want to go to school, made up an excuse and even got a prize for it (breakfast)

Primary reinforcement is a reinforcement that does not depend on previous learning (conditioning). They are generally used to meet basic needs, such as water and food. Its relationship was established based on phylogenesis.

→  she was afraid to go to school and made up an excuse

Reinforcement, or reinforcing stimulus, for behaviorism is the consequence of behavior that makes it more likely. The reinforcement can be positive (through the addition of a stimulus) or negative (through the removal of a stimulus).