Define positive reinforcement. What issues are involved in the selection of appropriate and effective reinforcement?

For this project, you will analyze case study questions using the
concepts covered in this course. While you should rely primarily on the
textbook readings, you also may use other Internet research should you choose.

 

The total
project should be between 2-4 pages in 12 point font. Please be sure to use
proper APA format for all of your sources. Direct quoting of sources should be
kept to a minimum.

 

Bobby’s room is in a
constant state of disarray. His father, Mr. Kelley, would like to increase his
son Bobby’s frequency of cleaning his room. A behavior modification program
incorporating the concept of operant conditioning will be used to address this
problem. Please answer the following questions:

 

1. Identify the target
behavior and describe that behavior in 1 or 2 sentences.

 

2. Define operant conditioning and discuss how
this method works to increase desired behavior.

 

3. Define positive
reinforcement. What issues are involved in the selection of appropriate and
effective reinforcement?

 

4. Choose two possible
schedules of reinforcement discussed in the text and explain how you would
implement each schedule as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each
schedule selected.

 

Jackie has been afraid of
dogs since she was a toddler. When she was three years old, she was playing in
her front yard when a neighbor’s dog came up to her and bit her hand. The bite
required a trip to the pediatrician and several stitches. Twenty years later,
she can remember every detail of the event. Now when she sees dogs or one comes
near her, her heart pounds and she feels sick to her stomach. Normally, she
could simply avoid dogs, but she is getting married to a dog breeder in six
months. Jackie is coming to you for help with her fear of dogs.

 

 

 

1. Discuss one behavioral
   theory that could explain why Jackie has remained fearful of dogs.
2. What kind of behavioral
   modification program can be designed for Jackie so that she does not experience
   fear when seeing dogs?

 

 

 

 

 

Emma is 4 years old and
refuses to clean up her toys after playing. Her parents have tried many
different strategies, including rewarding her after cleaning, and giving her a
time-out when she doesn’t listen. Often what happens is that Emma gets angry
when it is clean-up time and throws a tantrum. She yells and screams and
sometimes even throws her toys, creating a bigger mess. Her parents feel that
the only way to stop the tantrum is to pick her up and then clean up for her.

 

1. Discuss the principles
   of operant conditioning that are underlying Emma’s behavior.
2. Describe how you could
   apply operant conditioning theory to create a behavior modification to address
   Emma’s behavior.
3. Explain how the concept
   of extinction of behavior could be applied in this case.