Final answer:
The positive note sent by Jaime's teacher to his parents is an example of positive reinforcement, which is intended to increase the likelihood of a behavior by adding a desirable stimulus as a reward for that behavior. (option C).
Step-by-step explanation:
The scenario described in the student's question is an example of C) Positive reinforcement or praise. Positive reinforcement involves adding a desirable stimulus to increase a behavior. In the case of Jaime, the teacher's positive note to his parents is a form of praise that acknowledges his consistent efforts in completing homework. This form of recognition can motivate Jaime to maintain and even improve his academic efforts. It aligns with the principles of operant conditioning as proposed by B.F. Skinner, who advocated the use of positive reinforcement to enhance learning and behavior modification. Skinner also emphasized the effectiveness of reinforcement over punishment for encouraging and strengthening desired behaviors.
In comparison, punishment is meant to decrease an unwanted behavior and can be either positive (adding an unpleasant stimulus) or negative (removing a pleasant stimulus). The distinction between reinforcement and punishment is important in understanding behavioral responses. In the context of education, as evidenced by the experiments in Dallas where second-graders were paid for reading, positive reinforcement can significantly increase academic achievement by offering direct incentives for desirable actions.