Question

Sandy had had a rough day, and his son's noicemaking was not helping him relax. Not wanting to resort to scolding, Sandy told his son in a serious manner that he was very tired and would like the boy to play quietly for an hour. This approach worked. For Sandy, the change in his son's behavior was A Positively reinforcing b. Negatively reinforcing

Short answer

Neither a. Positively reinforcing nor b. Negatively reinforcing is applicable as Sandy does not use any form of reinforcement, he simply communicates his needs to his son.

Step-by-step solution

Analyze the Stimulus and Response

In this case, the stimulus is Sandy's serious request for quiet and the response is his son's compliance. Sandy did not add a pleasant stimulus or remove an unpleasant one, rather he expressed his need for quiet in a serious tone.

Define Positive and Negative Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is when a behavior is encouraged by adding a pleasant stimulus, while negative reinforcement is when a behavior is encouraged by removing an unpleasant stimulus. Here, Sandy did not use any rewards (positive reinforcement), nor did he take away anything unpleasant (negative reinforcement). His son's behavior change was a result of understanding his father's need for quiet.

Result

Since there's no addition or removal of any stimulus, neither positive nor negative reinforcement is applicable in this scenario. Sandy only expressed his need for quietness, it was then up to his son to accommodate that request or not.

Key concepts

Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement occurs when a response to a specific behavior is followed by a reward, making it more likely that the behavior will happen again in the future. This technique is built upon the idea that positive consequences that follow an action will reinforce that action. For instance, if a student receives praise after getting a good grade, the student is likely to keep studying hard to receive more praise. The reward here acts as a positive stimulus, which adds value and encourages repetition of the behavior.

In a classroom setting, teachers might use stickers, extra playtime, or verbal praise as forms of positive reinforcement. This not only boosts a student's motivation but can also improve their self-esteem and confidence. However, it's important to use this type of reinforcement judiciously to avoid dependence on external rewards for motivation.

Negative Reinforcement

Negative reinforcement involves the removal of an aversive stimulus when a desired behavior occurs, which also increases the likelihood of that behavior being repeated. Unlike punishment, which aims to decrease unwanted behavior, negative reinforcement is about encouraging a positive behavior by taking away something unpleasant.

An example in the practice could be a parent turning off a noisy vacuum cleaner when their child starts doing their homework. Here, the aversive stimulus (the noise) is removed as soon as the desired behavior (doing homework) begins. This can provide relief to the child and acts as a form of reinforcement for doing homework in the future. It's essential to note that while negative reinforcement can be effective, overuse can lead to avoidance behaviors where individuals only act to escape discomfort rather than to achieve positive outcomes.

Stimulus-Response

The concept of stimulus-response is a fundamental principle of behavioral psychology, which posits that behavior is a response to environmental stimuli. A stimulus is any event or situation that evokes a response, and the response is the reaction to the stimulus.

For example, when a phone rings (stimulus), you answer it (response). In educational environments, effective teaching strategies often hinge on understanding this relationship. Teachers can use certain stimuli, such as engaging activities or thought-provoking questions, to elicit desired responses, such as active participation or critical thinking. The better the understanding of this relationship, the more effectively individuals or educators can guide behavior in positive directions.

Behavioral Change

Behavioral change refers to the transformation of an individual's actions, often brought about through various methods, including reinforcement. The ultimate goal of using reinforcement strategies is to shape behavior in a positive direction. To achieve lasting behavioral change, reinforcement should be consistent, and the consequences of actions must be clear to the individual whose behavior you want to influence.

Sustainable behavioral change often requires a combination of reinforcements and other strategies, such as modeling, social support, and sometimes, internal motivation. Changing behavior is more than simply reacting to stimuli; it's a complex process that can be influenced by personal goals, cognitive factors, and environmental cues. For long-term success, individuals need to internalize the reasons for behavior change and see it as beneficial to their growth and well-being.