Three-year-old Kate is an extremely finicky eater. Her mother is concerned that Kate's unwillingness to try new fruits and vegetables will negatively impact her growth and development. Which of the following techniques is the best motivator for behavioural change?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Positive reinforcement involves adding a desirable stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior's repetition. In this case, the mother could offer Kate a small reward, such as praise or a favorite toy, for trying new fruits and vegetables. This positive reinforcement approach creates a positive association with trying new foods and may encourage Kate to continue trying new things in the future. Punishment techniques (either positive or negative) are not recommended in this situation as they may create a negative association with food or mealtimes, which could exacerbate the problem. Additionally, negative reinforcement involves removing an aversive stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior's repetition, but there is no clear aversive stimulus involved in this scenario.

Three-Year-Old Kate Is an Extremely Finicky Eater