Vanessa is highly likely to shop and very unlikely to do laundry. According to the Premack principle of punishment, which of the following would be a contingency of punishment for Vanessa?
A) Doing laundry - shopping
B) Shopping - doing laundry
C) Not doing laundry - no shopping allowed
D) None of these are correct.

Question

Vanessa is highly likely to shop and very unlikely to do laundry. According to the Premack principle of punishment, which of the following would be a contingency of punishment for Vanessa?
A) Doing laundry -> shopping
B) Shopping -> doing laundry
C) Not doing laundry -> no shopping allowed
D) None of these are correct.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Premack Principle suggests that a more probable behavior (in this case, shopping, which Vanessa likes) can be used to reinforce a less probable behavior (doing laundry, which she is unlikely to do). However, when used as a form of punishment, the principle would imply making the preferred activity contingent upon completing the less preferred activity. Therefore, making shopping contingent upon doing laundry (B) acts as a punishment by requiring Vanessa to do something she dislikes before she can engage in something she likes.

Vanessa Is Highly Likely to Shop and Very Unlikely to Do