Question

Sara does not ask Mr. Smith any questions during class because the last time Sara asked a question he ridiculed her. This is an example of which of the following?

Positive reinforcement

Negative reinforcement

Punishment

Classical conditioning

Answer 1

I believe the answer is Classical Conditioning.

Answer 2

Punishment

Step-by-step explanation:

This is a case of positive punishment. Positive punishment is the decrease (or extinction) of a behavior by the addition of something as a consequence of that behavior. Before the behavior this thing was not present, but after the behavior occurred, this thing is presented or added to the situation.

We can say that the case shown in the above question is a case of positive punishment because when Sara assumed the behavior of asking the teacher a question, she was ridiculed. This ridicule was a consequence of Sara's behavior and caused her to abandon the behavior.