Four-year-old Louis throws a fit in the checkout line at the grocery store when his mom refuses to buy the candy he sees and desperately wants. Eventually, after a few minutes of crying, his mother gives in and buys the candy for him. Now, whenever they are at the store, Louis starts asking for candy and bursts into tears as soon as he and his mom approach the checkout line. Louis's behavior is MOST likely due to:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Louis's behavior is a result of learning, specifically through operant conditioning. When his mother gave in and bought him candy after he cried, it reinforced his crying behavior, making it more likely to occur in the future when he wants candy.

Four-Year-Old Louis Throws a Fit in the Checkout Line at the Grocery