Below are four examples of behavior changes that occurred as a result of some consequence. Read each example; then identify it as positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, presentation punishment, or removal punishment. Explain your classifications.
Rita is caught cheating on her English exam. The teacher, in a loud voice, threatens Rita with an F. Rita starts to cry, then fabricates a story about hardships at home. The teacher stops the threats and lets Rita finish the exam with no penalty. In the future, Rita uses the same ploy when caught cheating in her other classes.
Targeted Behavior: Cheating
Raul repeatedly gets into heated arguments with students during his physical education class basketball game. As a result, the teacher removes Raul from the game. He spends the rest of the class period sitting on the bench. During future games, Raul does not argue with officials.
Targeted Behavior: Arguing with Officials
Stan gets caught passing a note to Marilyn describing his plans for their date that evening. The teacher sees this, grabs the note, and reads it to the class. In the future, Stan does not pass notes.
Targeted Behavior: Note Passing
Suzette shouts out to the teacher, "Why do we have to learn this stuff, anyway? I'll never use it." The teacher, who has been assisting another student, stops to explain why the information is important. With increasing frequency throughout the term, Suzette shouts out questions.
Targeted Behavior: Shouting
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