Joanne does not want to go to school because she didn't do her calculus homework and isn't ready for her test. She tells her mother that she has a terrible headache. Her mother shows concern, agrees to let her stay home, and makes Joanne her favorite breakfast. in one paragraph Define all of the following terms and explain how each applies to this situation.
• Operant conditioning
• Primary reinforcement
• Negative reinforcement
Operant conditioning is a type of learning in which behavior is strengthened or weakened by consequences. In this situation, Joanne's behavior of claiming to have a headache to avoid going to school is reinforced because she is allowed to stay home by her mother.
Primary reinforcement refers to a stimulus that satisfies a biological need, such as food, water, or warmth. In this case, Joanne's mother giving her favorite breakfast serves as a primary reinforcement, as it satisfies Joanne's need for nourishment and shows care and concern.
Negative reinforcement is a method of increasing the likelihood of a behavior by removing an unpleasant stimulus or circumstance. By allowing Joanne to stay home from school after claiming to have a headache, her mother is removing the unpleasant situation of going to school unprepared for a test and avoiding potential consequences. This serves as negative reinforcement for Joanne's behavior of pretending to be sick to stay home.