Introductory Psychology CLEP Prep Practice Exam

How does the operant conditioning method work?

1. By providing rewards to a desired behaviour

2. By providing punishment to an undesired behaviour

3. By reinforcing positive behaviours

4. By reinforcing negative behaviours

The correct answer is: By providing rewards to a desired behaviour

Operant conditioning is a learning process that involves rewards or consequences in response to a particular behavior. The reinforcement of a desired behavior, as in choice A, through the use of rewards like praise, food, or privileges, increases the likelihood of the behavior being repeated in the future. In contrast, choice B, which mentions punishment, involves adding an aversive consequence to decrease the likelihood of an undesired behavior. Choice C also alludes to positive reinforcement, which involves increasing the likelihood of a behavior by adding a positive consequence. Choice D, on the other hand, mentions negative reinforcement, which includes the removal of aversive consequences to increase the likelihood of a behavior. However, these types of reinforcement and punishment may not always align with the desired behavior and can have unintended consequences. Overall, providing rewards to a desired behavior is the most effective way to reinforce the behavior through operant conditioning.