Question

What are the strategies used in operant conditioning?

1) Positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement
2) Punishment and extinction
3) Shaping and chaining
4) All of the above

Answer 1

The strategies used in operant conditioning include positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment, extinction, shaping, and chaining.

Step-by-step explanation:

In operant conditioning, there are several strategies used to modify behavior:

1. Positive reinforcement involves adding something desirable to increase a behavior. For example, giving a child a piece of candy for completing their homework.
2. Negative reinforcement involves removing something unpleasant to increase a behavior. For example, taking away a chore for completing homework.
3. Punishment involves adding something unpleasant to decrease a behavior. For example, giving a detention for talking in class.
4. Extinction involves removing something desirable to decrease a behavior. For example, ignoring a child's tantrum to discourage it.
5. Shaping involves gradually reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior. For example, rewarding a dog with treats for each small step towards learning a new trick.
6. Chaining involves breaking down complex behaviors into smaller steps and reinforcing each step. For example, teaching a child to brush their teeth by first reinforcing them for picking up the toothbrush, then for applying toothpaste, and so on.

All of these strategies are used in operant conditioning, so the correct answer is 4) All of the above.