71.1k views
3 votes
Juno wants her children to stop fighting, so she gives them a point for every 15 minutes they don't fight. They can exchange the points for things they like, such as screen time and candy. What is the best term for this example?

A. Reinforcement Program
B. Token Economy
C. Bribery
D. Shaping

User Jssor
by
7.6k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

In Juno's scenario, she uses a token economy system where points earned for not fighting among her children can be exchanged for rewards. This system is designed to reinforce positive behavior and is distinct from bribery, shaping, or a general reinforcement program.

Step-by-step explanation:

The scenario described with Juno and her children involves the use of behavior modification where Juno is trying to increase the occurrence of a desired behavior - in this case, not fighting - by implementing a token economy. A token economy is a system of behavior modification based on the systematic reinforcement of target behavior. The reinforcements are tokens that can be exchanged for other types of rewards or privileges. This method is coined as a token economy because the tokens function as a form of currency within the system set for receiving privileges or other rewards.

In the context of the question, as the children receive points for every 15 minutes of not fighting, and these points can later be exchanged for things they like, the example best fits the definition of a Token Economy. It is not bribery, as the points are not being offered before the behavior but are contingent upon it. It's not shaping because shaping would involve reinforcing successive approximations toward a desired behavior, and this system rewards the full desired behavior (not fighting) as opposed to steps towards it. Lastly, while it is a form of reinforcement, the specific use of tradeable points closely aligns with the definition of a token economy rather than a general reinforcement program.

The scenario with Juno and her children best fits the term Token Economy, where not fighting is reinforced with points that can be traded for rewards, thereby aiming to increase the occurrence of the desired behavior within a structured system of behavior modification.

User Empty Space
by
8.4k points