Ms. Cowan has a day care center, and this year she has one little girl who is very aggressive. No matter how much Ms. Cowan punishes her, the child continues to misbehave and seems to be increasing her aggressive actions. A behaviorist would say that

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A behaviorist would suggest that punishment may actually reinforce the aggressive behavior if it is providing attention to the child. The behaviorist approach focuses on observable behaviors and the consequences they produce, rather than on unconscious conflicts or inborn traits. Therefore, punishing the child may not be the most effective approach and a behaviorist would likely suggest alternative strategies for reducing aggressive behavior.

Ms Cowan Has a Day Care Center, and This Year