Which type of reinforcement is being demonstrated when a child receives extra playtime for completing chores?

Which type of reinforcement is being demonstrated when a child receives extra playtime for completing chores?

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

Answer: (C)

The scenario describes a child receiving extra playtime as a reward for completing chores, which exemplifies positive reinforcement. This type of reinforcement occurs when a desirable stimulus, such as extra playtime, is presented after a behavior—in this case, completing chores. The intention is to increase the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future. By providing a reward that the child values, the behavior of completing chores is reinforced, making it more probable that the child will continue to do them. In contrast, negative punishment involves removing a desirable stimulus to decrease a behavior, while positive punishment introduces an unpleasant consequence to reduce a behavior. Negative reinforcement, on the other hand, entails removing an aversive stimulus to increase a desired behavior, which is not the case here since the focus is on adding a reward rather than removing something unpleasant.

The scenario describes a child receiving extra playtime as a reward for completing chores, which exemplifies positive reinforcement. This type of reinforcement occurs when a desirable stimulus, such as extra playtime, is presented after a behavior—in this case, completing chores. The intention is to increase the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future. By providing a reward that the child values, the behavior of completing chores is reinforced, making it more probable that the child will continue to do them.

In contrast, negative punishment involves removing a desirable stimulus to decrease a behavior, while positive punishment introduces an unpleasant consequence to reduce a behavior. Negative reinforcement, on the other hand, entails removing an aversive stimulus to increase a desired behavior, which is not the case here since the focus is on adding a reward rather than removing something unpleasant.