T10.3: Operant Conditioning

Question 1

You get into your car and don’t put on your seat belt. As you drive, the car makes an annoying dinging sound every once in a while, telling you to put on the seat belt. You put the seat belt on so that the dinging will stop, which it does. What is this an example of? (MG)

A. Positive reinforcement
B. Negative reinforcement
C. Positive punishment
D. Negative punishment

Answer 1

B. Negative reinforcement

The annoying dinging sound is removed to enforce good behavior of wearing the seat belt

Question 2

Dorian Gray (the cutest kitty) loves being petted. Michelle likes it when he snuggles up in her arm crook instead of laying on her legs. Therefore, she decides to only pet him when he is laying in the crook of her arm and not when he is on her legs. What is this an example of? (MG)

A. Positive reinforcement
B. Negative reinforcement
C. Positive punishment
D. Negative punishment

Answer 2

A. Positive reinforcement

When Dorian lays in the arm crook (the desired behavior) he is rewarded (lots of pets)

Question 3

You and your friends go to Cedar Point (the world’s greatest amusement park). You and your friends don’t want to wait 1hr for one ride so you decide to just cut in front of everyone. A park employee catches you and you are escorted out of the park. what is this an example of? (MG)

A. Positive reinforcement
B. Negative reinforcement
C. Positive punishment
D. Negative punishment

Answer 3

D. Negative punishment

It’s a little tricky, but hear me out.

The good thing (fun amusement park) is being revoked. You are no longer able to enjoy the park, so it is negative punishment. Positive punishment would be them yelling at you or kicking you or something