All of the following factors influence the effectiveness of reinforcement in operant conditioning except a. timing b. extinction c. magnitude d. shaping

All of these options, except for (B) extinction, refer to factors that increase the effectiveness of reinforcement in operant conditioning.

Extinction refers to the decreasing to eventual disappearance of a learned behavior by not giving the previously associated reinforcement.

Timing refers to when the reinforcement is given to the behavior, which would influence the conditioning. Magnitude refers to the amount of given reinforcement. While shaping refers to the gradual modification of the exhibited behavior until it finally reaches the target behavior expected.

The answer is B. Extinction is not one of the factors that influence the effectiveness of reinforcement in operant conditioning.

EXPLANATION

Extinction means that the decreasing of eventual disappearance about a learned behavior by not giving a previously associated reinforcement. The example of this is when a child wants to dance, the parents always play this specific song. For a long time, it has been this way. Thus, when the child listens to this one specific song, the child always wants to dance.  

Yet, the song is not played for a long time. On the other hand, when the parents play the song again, the child suddenly stops dancing. This is called extinction, which is a learned behavior that is gone because the reinforcement is not given.

Operant conditioning is a method that is used for learning. The learning occurs through a system of rewards and punishments for certain behavior. Through operant conditioning, an individual associate behavior with the certain consequence.

A reward is used when a person wants to make a certain behavior stronger. For example, if you get an A on a test, you will reward yourself a cone of ice cream. This reward will make you want to study harder for the upcoming test.

Punishment is given when you want to weaken a behavior. If you like to eat junk food, whenever you eat it, you will punish yourself by cleaning the whole house for a day. Thus, you will always associate junk food with tiredness and you will not eat junk food anymore.

LEARN MORE

If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, we recommend you to also take a look at the following questions:

Freud’s theory:

Deception in psychology:

KEYWORD: reinforcement, operant conditioning, Freud

Subject: Advanced Placement

Class: College

Subchapter: Operant Conditioning