Question

Gillian's kids struggle to get out the door in the morning for school, so she creates a sticker chart where they can put on a sticker each time they are ready to go before 7 a.m. Once they fill they chart, they'll get a new bunk bed. This is an example of ________.

Question 44 options:
a)
operant conditioning
b)
modeling
c)
shaping conditioning
d)
classical conditioning

Answer 1

Gillian uses operant conditioning, specifically positive reinforcement, by providing stickers as a reward for her children getting ready before 7 a.m., ultimately working towards the larger reward of a new bunk bed.

Step-by-step explanation:

Gillian's creation of a sticker chart for her kids to earn a new bunk bed by being ready before 7 a.m. is an example of operant conditioning. Operant conditioning is a learning process through which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment. In this case, Gillian is using positive reinforcement to increase the likelihood that her children will get ready on time; they receive a sticker when they perform the desired behavior, and after accumulating a certain number of stickers, they receive the reward of a new bunk bed.

Behavior modification in children often incorporates such techniques, as it helps to encourage desirable behaviors through the use of consistent reinforcement. Sticking with a token economy system like Gillian's sticker chart adds a structured approach, and once the child earns the predetermined number of stickers or tokens, they are traded in for the desired item or privilege, which serves as a reinforcer.

It's important to ensure that the reward is meaningful to the child and that there's a direct connection between the behavior and the reinforcement. By doing this consistently, parents can effectively use behavior modification strategies to shape their children's behavior in a positive direction.