Sandeep gives Amy the silent treatment when she fails to clean up the kitchen after dinner (it is one of her household jobs).After this happens a few times,Amy tries to remember to clean up more regularly,but,over time,she slips up and the cycle repeats.Which is an accurate statement about this situation?
A) The silent treatment is an example of a negative reinforcer.
B) Amy's failure to clean up the kitchen is an example of punishment.
C) The end of the silent treatment is an example of a negative reinforcer.
D) Amy cleaning up the kitchen is an example of a positive reinforcer.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The end of the silent treatment acts as a negative reinforcer because it removes an unpleasant stimulus (Sandeep's silent treatment) when Amy performs the desired behavior (cleaning up the kitchen), which makes it more likely that she will repeat the behavior in the future to avoid the silent treatment.

Sandeep Gives Amy the Silent Treatment When She Fails to Clean