Which of the following concepts of operant conditioning is accurately matched with an example?
A. Positive reinforcement – Harvey, a student, is suspended when he vandalizes school property. B. Negative reinforcement – Jeff holds his umbrella over his head when it starts to rain so that he will not get drenched. C. Positive punishment – Jacqueline’s teacher gives her a candy for completing an arithmetic exercise without any errors. D. Negative punishment – Tommy receives a written reprimand from his boss following a series of customer complaints.
The correct answer is B. Negative reinforcement – Jeff holds his umbrella over his head when it starts to rain so that he will not get drenched.
### Explanation:
– Positive reinforcement involves adding a desirable stimulus to increase a behavior (e.g., giving candy for good work).
– Negative reinforcement means removing an aversive stimulus to increase a behavior (Jeff uses the umbrella to avoid getting wet).
– Positive punishment adds an aversive stimulus to decrease behavior (e.g., suspending Harvey).
– Negative punishment involves removing a pleasant stimulus to decrease behavior (e.g., Tommy’s reprimand does not fit the definition as loss of privileges isn’t described).
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