Question

Some teachers have reduced the disruptive classroom behavior of students by imposing a time-out following disruptive behavior. In this case, the time-out is a

a. conditioned reinforcer.
b. negative reinforcer.
c. primary reinforcer.
d. punishment.

Answer 1

The use of time-out as a response to disruptive behavior in classrooms is an example of negative punishment, which is designed to decrease unwanted behavior by removing a desirable stimulus.

Step-by-step explanation:

When teachers use a time-out following disruptive behavior by students, they are employing a technique known as negative punishment. This type of punishment involves the removal of a desirable stimulus to decrease an unwanted behavior. In the classroom scenario provided, the time-out serves to remove a student from a pleasant activity, with the intent of reducing the disruptive behavior. The correct answer to the question is (d) punishment. Operant conditioning consists of reinforcement and punishment to influence behavior. Reinforcement aims to increase behavior whereas punishment seeks to decrease it.