Erik dated Mandy, who was a brunette, for about six months. He found Mandy nice but rather boring. He then dated Angele, who was very spontaneous, funny, exciting, and had reddish-brown hair. Now that he and Angele have broken up, Erik goes out with his friends on the weekends and approaches only girls with red hair. Erik's friend, a behaviorist, suggests that Erik's behavior illustrates the _____.
A) peak shift effect
B) partial reinforcement effect
C) shaping effect
D) systematic desensitization effect

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Erik's preference for girls with red hair, following his positive experiences with Angele who had reddish-brown hair, illustrates the peak shift effect. This psychological phenomenon occurs when an individual shows a greater response to stimuli that are exaggerated versions of the original stimulus associated with a positive or rewarding experience. In this case, Erik's attraction has shifted to girls with red hair, an exaggerated version of Angele's reddish-brown hair, because of the positive association he had with Angele.

Erik Dated Mandy, Who Was a Brunette, for About Six