Final answer:
The question requires identifying the operant conditioning reinforcement method in a given scenario. Reinforcement can be positive or negative, both aimed at increasing behavior, while punishment, also positive or negative, seeks to decrease behavior. Extinction is the decrease in behavior when reinforcement is no longer presented.
Step-by-step explanation:
To answer the question regarding the behavior reinforcement method illustrated in a given scenario, we must first understand operant conditioning. As per B. F. Skinner's theory, operant conditioning involves learning where a behavior is followed by a consequence, which can be either a reinforcer or a punisher. The key distinction to remember is that all forms of reinforcement increase the likelihood of a behavioral response, while all forms of punishment decrease it.
Positive reinforcement involves adding a desirable stimulus to increase a behavior. For example, giving a child a treat after they clean their room will encourage them to repeat the behavior. On the other hand, negative reinforcement involves the removal of an undesirable stimulus to also increase a behavior. An example of this is a car's seatbelt alarm stopping once the seatbelt is fastened, reinforcing the behavior of fastening the seatbelt.
Punishment seeks to decrease a behavior. Positive punishment adds an undesirable stimulus to achieve this, such as a scolding for texting in class. Negative punishment removes a desirable stimulus, like taking away a child's toy when they misbehave to reduce such behavior.
Lastly, extinction occurs when a reinforced behavior is no longer paired with reinforcement and thus the behavior decreases, for instance, when a pain relief button is pressed and no medication is administered outside the approved times, reducing the behavior of pressing the button.