Final answer:
The most effective reinforcer for Laura to use while training her puppy to sit is a dog treat. Using continuous reinforcement with a primary reinforcer like a special dog treat is the quickest way to establish the new behavior. Over time, secondary reinforcers like praise may also become effective. Option 1: A dog treat.
Step-by-step explanation:
Laura is attempting to train her puppy to sit and is looking for the most effective reinforcer to use. Based on the principles of operant conditioning, the most effective approach would be positive reinforcement. Among the options provided, the dog treat (Option 1) would usually be the most effective reinforcer. Dogs, like Skinner's rats, are more likely to repeat a behavior when a primary reinforcer, such as food, is used. Secondary reinforcers, like a pat on the head (Option 3) or verbal praise (Option 4), can become effective over time if they are consistently paired with primary reinforcers. Pieces of the puppy's regular food (Option 2) might have less of a reinforcement value compared to special treats because they are not as novel or high-value. For the fastest results in teaching the new behavior of sitting, using a continuous reinforcement schedule where the puppy receives a treat each time it sits would be most effective. This will help the puppy make a clear connection between the behavior (sitting) and the immediate consequence (receiving a treat). Once the behavior is well established, Laura can gradually transition to a partial reinforcement schedule to maintain the learned behavior. Using a dog treat as a reinforcer is a common and effective method for training dogs. Treats are tangible rewards that most dogs find highly motivating, making them a valuable tool for positive reinforcement during training. While options 2 (a piece of the puppy's food), 3 (a pat on the puppy's head), and 4 (verbal praise) can also be used as reinforcers, treats are often particularly effective in the early stages of training due to their immediate appeal and association with positive behavior.