Question

When Alex held the car door open for Stephanie, she made a big fuss over what a gentleman he was becoming. Alex no longer holds the car door open for her. The consequence for holding the door was the __________ of a stimulus, and the behavior of holding open the door subsequently decreased in frequency; therefore, this is an example of positive __________.

Answer 1

Answer: Presentation; Punishment

Explanation: Operant conditioning as a type of learning forms associations between behaviors and resulting events. It uses reinforcers and punishments to shape behavior towards a desired behavior. Positive punishment refers to the addition or presenting of a negative consequence to an individual once an undesired behaviour is exhibited. By holding the car door open, Alex presents a stimulus to Stephanie which elicited a negative response (making a big fuss) that resulted in a decrease in the frequency of holding doors open for her (which is a reduction in the undesired behaviour).

Answer 2

The consequence for holding the door was the presentation of a stimulus, and the behavior of holding open the door subsequently decreased in frequency; therefore, this is an example of positive punishment.

Step-by-step explanation:

Stephanie made a fuss when Alex opened the door for her, this is a reaction to behavior he had. The effect of that response acted as a positive pushishment to Alex, since the action of opening the door decreased.

Stephanie's response weakened Alex behavior.