Question

Fourteen-year-old Judy Ann is frustrated with the way the kids at school treat her during lunch. Instead of sitting by herself like she normally does, she sits with another student at lunch. As they begin to engage in conversation, she notices that no one stops to make fun of her. Because of this, she decides to no longer sit by herself at lunch. Which of the following can be considered the operant?

A. the kids making fun of her
B. sitting with another student instead of sitting by herself
C. her frustration
D. the student she talks to at lunch

Answer 1

B. sitting with another student instead of sitting by herself

Step-by-step explanation:

When we speak of "operant" behavior we are talking about a relationship between a class of responses, the consequences it produces, and the changes in responding promoted by these consequences. In Judy Ann's case, operant behavior is represented by "sitting with another student instead of sitting by herself" in response to her frustration with the treatment she was receiving from colleagues when she sat alone.