Psychology Module 21

According to B. F. Skinner, which example illustrates the BEST use of an alternative to punishment in the attempt to reduce an undesirable behavior?

Mark is reinforced for working quietly in class instead of being punished for disrupting class.

_______ reinforcement involves any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response.

Positive

An automobile insurance company rewards policyholders with a deductible reduction after each 6 months without an accident. The reduction is provided on a _____ schedule of reinforcement.

fixed interval

One main difference between punishment and reinforcement is that the goal of reinforcement is to _____ a behavior, whereas the goal of punishment is to _____ a behavior.

increase; decrease

To discourage trolls in an online chat group, Jerry blocks them. For the trolls, the blocking is a:

negative punishment.