Question

Mrs. Collora teaches social studies to junior high school students. Two boys in her class often loudly make jokes about the material being discussed. She has tried several techniques without success: (1) ignoring them; (2) encouraging and rewarding them for contributing to the class discussion; (3) removing their opportunities to participate in field trips; and (4) requiring them each to write an essay on proper behavior. In the order presented, list the operant conditioning principles she has applied to the situation.

Answer 1

Extinction

Positive reinforcement

Negative punishment

Positive punishment

Step-by-step explanation:

EXTINCTION

Extinction in Operant conditioning is the removal of a stimulus that was reinforcing a response. Mrs. Collora decided to ignore the two boys and in effect try to stop reinforcing the boys' behavior by refusing to engage with them hoping that they would stop.

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT

This is a situation where stimuli is ADDED to situations to encourage a certain behavior. By offering the boys encouragement and rewards for participation, Mrs. Collora is positively reinforcing them.

NEGATIVE PUNISHMENT

This is a situation where a stimulus is removed to reduce/deter a behavior. Mrs. Collora REMOVED the boys' opportunities to participate in field trips.

POSITIVE PUNISHMENT

In this situation, a stimulus that is not liked or desirable is added to reduce a behavior. Mrs. Collora made the boys write essays on proper behavior which is not a desirable thing to most High Schoolers.