Question

Which of the following is a principle derived from the observation that heroin is more addictive than morphine?

1) Food is a poor reinforcer for hungry rats.
2) Immediate reinforcement is more important than quantity of reinforcer.
3) Quantity of reinforcement is more important than immediacy of reinforcement.
4) Longer delays between response and food delivery results in faster learning.
5) Drugs that are rapidly cleared from the brain are more addictive.

Answer 1

The principle that immediate reinforcement is more important than the quantity of reinforcement is demonstrated by the observation that heroin, which provides a quicker 'high,' is more addictive than morphine. This aligns with Skinner's radical behaviorism in reinforcing behavior effectively through immediate outcomes. So, the correct answer is option 2.

Step-by-step explanation:

The principle derived from the observation that heroin is more addictive than morphine relates to the concept that immediate reinforcement is more important than the quantity of reinforcement.

This is because heroin provides a quicker and more intense 'high' than morphine, making it more reinforcing despite the risk of severe consequences. Similarly, in learning and behavior, immediate rewards tend to have a stronger effect on reinforcing behavior than rewards that are delayed, irrespective of the reward size.

Radical behaviorism, developed by B. F. Skinner, supports this concept by suggesting that behaviors are shaped by immediate consequences. Primary reinforcers like food in experiments with rats, or a 'high' in case of drug use, demonstrate how immediate reinforcement can be a powerful motivator.

This principle can be seen in how rats learn to press a lever for a food reward in Skinner's experimental setup, with quicker learning occurring when the reinforcement is given immediately after the desired behavior.