Question

Example: An alarm turns off after you buckle your seatbelt.

Step 1: Identify the behavior.

Answer: Buckling

Step 2: Identify whether the consequence will likely increase or decrease the behavior.

Answer: If one doesn’t like that noise, then buckling will increase (to turn off the alarm).

Since the stimulus increases buckling behavior, the stimulus is a reinforcement.

Step 3: Identify whether the behavior adds or removes a stimulus.

Answer: Because buckling removes the stimulus (turns off the alarm), the stimulus is negative.

Put the stimulus together and you will see you have successfully identified a negative reinforcement.

Here are the remaining items that you will complete for your written assignment grade this week: Using and writing Steps 1-3 modeled above, please identify each type of consequence described in the 10 items below. You must have all three steps correct to receive the full point for each item.

You are given candy after you say "please."
Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Name the type of consequence:

You are grounded after swearing.
Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Name the type of consequence:

You are given extra homework after swearing.
Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Name the type of consequence:

You are yelled at after swearing.
Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Name the type of consequence:

You are spanked after dropping a wet towel on the floor.
Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Name the type of consequence:

You receive money after illegally purchasing alcohol.
Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Name the type of consequence:

A shock is turned off after a rat presses a lever.
Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Name the type of consequence:

You are put into "time out" after hitting your sibling
Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Name the type of consequence:

Your mom stops nagging you to clean your room, but only after your start cleaning your room
Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Name the type of consequence:

Your car keys were taken away from you after you missed your curfew. Jessie says this is an example of positive punishment, Is Jessie correct? Explain.

Answer 1

The right answer is A.

Answer 2

Answer & Explanation:

1. You are given candy after you say ''please''

Step 1 - Saying "please"

Step 2 - The consequence "candy" which is a desirable outcome will more likely increase the behavior. Since the stimulus is increasing the behavior of saying "please", the stimulus is a reinforcement.

Step 3 - Reinforcement is positive because a pleasant stimulus (candy) is added.

​​​​​​ 2. You are grounded after swearing.

Step 1 - swearing

Step 2 - The consequence " being grounded" is an undesirable outcome and is more likely to decrease the behavior. Since the behavior is being decreased by the stimulus, it is a punishment.

Step 3 - Punishment is negative because a pleasant stimulus (freedom) is being removed.

3. You are given extra homework after swearing.

Step 1 - swearing

Step 2 - The consequence "extra homework" is an undesirable outcome and is more likely to decrease the behavior. Since the stimulus is decreasing the behavior, the stimulus (extra homework) is a punishment.

Step 3 - Punishment is positive because it involves the addition of an aversive stimulus (extra homework) after exhibition of an undesirable behavior.

4. You are yelled at after swearing.

Step1 - swearing

Step 2 - The consequence "being yelled at" is an aversive stimulus which is more likely to decrease the behavior. Since the stimulus is decreasing the behavior, the stimulus (yelling) is a punishment.

Step 3 - Punishment is positive because it involves the addition of a negative stimulus (yelling).

5. You are spanked after dropping a wet towel on the floor.

Step 1 - dropping a wet towel on the floor

Step 2 - The consequence "spanking" is an undesirable outcome and is more likely to decrease the behaviour. Since the stimulus is decreasing the behaviour, the stimulus (spanking) is a punishment.

Step 3 - Punishment is positive because it involves the addition of a negative stimulus (spanking).

6. You receive money after illegally purchasing alcohol.

Step 1 - Illegally purchasing alcohol

Step 2 - The consequence "receiving money" is a desirable outcome and is more likely to increase the behaviour. Since the stimulus (money) is increasing the behavior, the stimulus is a reinforcement.

Step 3 - Reinforcement is positive because it involves the addition of a pleasant stimulus (money).

7. A shock is turned off after a rat presses a lever.

Step 1 - Rat pressing the lever

Step 2 - The consequence "shock being turned off' is a desirable outcome and is more likely to increase the behaviour. Since the stimulus is increasing the behaviour, the stimulus is a reinforcement

Step 3 - Reinforcement is negative as it involves the removal of an aversive stimulus (shock).

8. You are put into "time out" after hitting your sibling.

Step 1 - Hitting sibling

Step 2 - The consequence "being put into timeout" is an undesirable outcome and is more likely to decrease the behaviour. Since the stimulus is decreasing the behavior, the stimulus is a punishment.

Step 3 - Punishment is negative because it involves the removal of a pleasant stimulus (being able to do fun activities)

9. Your mom stops nagging you to clean your room, but only after you start cleaning your room.

Step 1 - cleaning room

Step 2 - The consequence "nagging of mom" is an aversive stimulus which means that the behavior is more likely to increase. Since the stimulus is increasing the behavior, the stimulus (nagging) is a reinforcement.

Step 3 - Reinforcement is negative because it involves the removal of a negative stimulus (nagging)

​​​​​10. Jesse is wrong. It is an example of negative punishment because car keys (pleasant stimulus or in this case, something important) was taken away or removed.

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