Question

Jane has a very bad headache. She really needs some aspirin but does not have any in the house. She drives to the store to get some. This is an example of an:

a) Satiation problem
b) Behavior abolishing operation
c) Establishing operation
d) Behavior extinction

Answer 1

Jane's action of driving to the store for aspirin due to her headache is an example of an establishing operation, which increases the effectiveness of a reinforcer, and in turn induces behavior that seeks that reinforcer.

Step-by-step explanation:

Jane's scenario where she drives to the store to get aspirin for her headache is an example of an establishing operation. An establishing operation is an environmental event that increases the effectiveness of a reinforcer (in this case, the aspirin) and often induces behavior that has been reinforced by that kind of reinforcer in the past. In contrast, a satiation problem would occur if Jane had too much of a particular reinforcer, making it less effective, and a behavior extinction would be observed if Jane stopped experiencing relief from aspirin, thus reducing the likelihood that she would seek out aspirin in the future. A behavior abolishing operation would decrease the effectiveness of aspirin as a reinforcer, but that's not indicated in the scenario provided.