Final answer:
Time-out is a disciplinary technique based on the principles of negative punishment in operant conditioning, where a child is removed from a desirable activity to decrease undesired behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
The disciplinary technique of time-out is based on the principles of negative punishment within the framework of operant conditioning. In operant conditioning, negative punishment involves the removal of a desirable stimulus to decrease an undesired behavior. Hence, when a child is temporarily removed from an enjoyable activity as a consequence for misbehavior, it is intended to reduce the likelihood of the unwanted behavior occurring again in the future.
For example, if a child like Sophia is playing with blocks and throws them after being warned not to, removing her from this enjoyable activity serves as a negative punishment. The removal from the activity aims to teach Sophia that if she throws blocks, she loses the privilege of playtime, thereby decreasing the future occurrence of this behavior. The key elements necessary for time-out to be effective include ensuring that the child is removed from a desirable activity, the duration of the time-out is appropriate (usually determined by the child's age), and that the caregiver remains consistent and calm throughout the process.