Final answer:
Operant conditioning, particularly through positive and negative reinforcement, explains why Vina continues to smoke despite health risks like a persistent cough and breathing difficulties. Nicotine's addictive nature and cognitive dissonance contribute to the continuation of her smoking habit.
Step-by-step explanation:
The principles of operant conditioning can explain Vina's continued cigarette smoking despite its negative health consequences. Operant conditioning involves learning from the consequences of behaviors, which in the context of smoking, means that Vina's use of cigarettes to reduce tension and anxiety is reinforced by the immediate relief it provides, a process known as positive reinforcement. However, the relief is short-lived, and the long-term negative consequences, like a persistent cough and breathing difficulties, are often not sufficient immediate deterrents to stop the behavior.
This cycle is perpetuated by the addictive nature of nicotine, which creates a powerful physical and psychological dependence. Furthermore, the development of withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, irritability, and anxiety when not smoking can act as negative reinforcement, encouraging continued smoking to alleviate these unpleasant feelings. Educational programs about the health risks of smoking are often inadequate in effecting behavioral change due to the strong reinforcements supporting the smoking habit.
Vina might also experience cognitive dissonance, where she knows that smoking is detrimental to her health but continues to smoke. To resolve this dissonance, she might rationalize her behavior by adopting new beliefs, such as believing that smoking helps her manage weight or that smoking 'light' cigarettes is less harmful. This rationalization serves to maintain her smoking behavior despite being aware of the health risks.