Question

Layla's new puppy keeps chewing the bottoms of her favorite curtains. Now, whenever Layla sees the puppy begin chewing, she turns on a device that makes a continuous loud, annoying sound. She will not turn it off until the puppy stops chewing. Layla is using which technique to change the puppy's behavior?

Answer 1

Layla is using positive punishment to change the puppy's behavior by associating the annoying sound with chewing the curtains.

Step-by-step explanation:

Layla is using the technique of positive punishment to change the puppy's behavior. Positive punishment involves adding an aversive stimulus, in this case the loud, annoying sound, to decrease the frequency of a behavior.

When the puppy starts chewing the curtains, Layla turns on the device that produces the sound. This creates an unpleasant experience for the puppy, which discourages the behavior. By consistently applying this consequence, Layla is teaching the puppy to associate chewing the curtains with the annoying sound and ultimately, to stop chewing them.

Positive punishment is one of the techniques used in behavior modification to shape and change behavior through consequences.