Passage
Researchers conducted a pair of studies to explore how rewards influence motivation and weight loss for those who are overweight or obese.For Study 1, 20 overweight and 20 average-weight adults were invited to play a computer game consisting of a simple matching task in which participants earned a reward for getting multiple correct responses. Participants were allowed to select their own reward: Either $1.00 or a 200-calorie vending machine snack (valued at $1.00) , such as a candy bar or bag of chips. For the first trial, participants were rewarded on an average of three correct responses (AVG3) . Participants were then asked to choose between the food and monetary rewards. When a food reward was selected, the average number of correct responses required to earn the next reward doubled, but when a monetary reward was selected, the average number of correct responses required to earn the next reward remained the same (Figure 1) . Results indicated that although there was no significant difference between the groups with regard to baseline self-reporting of hunger prior to the start of the computer tasks, overweight participants were five times more likely to choose the food rewards than average-weight participants.
Figure 1 Study 1 reward scheduleFor Study 2, obese participants were recruited for a 16-week weight-loss study and randomly assigned to one of two groups: A control group (n = 32) or an experimental group (n = 35) . Control participants engaged in weekly weigh-ins only. Experimental participants engaged in weekly weigh-ins but also earned or lost money (put into an account and paid at the end of the study) based on their weigh-in goal, calculated each week based on current body mass index (BMI) , age, and sex. Those who reached their weekly weight goal earned $10; for each additional pound lost, participants earned another $10, up to $50/week. Participants in the experimental group who did not meet or exceed their weekly weight goal had $20 deducted from their accounts. No significant differences were found in baseline variables for either group; however, members of the control group lost an average of 5.9 pounds, whereas members of the experimental group lost an average of 18.1 pounds.
B. E. Saelens and L. H. Epstein ©1996 Elsevier B.V.
-Both studies use which of the following?

Question

Passage
Researchers conducted a pair of studies to explore how rewards influence motivation and weight loss for those who are overweight or obese.For Study 1, 20 overweight and 20 average-weight adults were invited to play a computer game consisting of a simple matching task in which participants earned a reward for getting multiple correct responses. Participants were allowed to select their own reward: Either $1.00 or a 200-calorie vending machine snack (valued at $1.00) , such as a candy bar or bag of chips. For the first trial, participants were rewarded on an average of three correct responses (AVG3) . Participants were then asked to choose between the food and monetary rewards. When a food reward was selected, the average number of correct responses required to earn the next reward doubled, but when a monetary reward was selected, the average number of correct responses required to earn the next reward remained the same (Figure 1) . Results indicated that although there was no significant difference between the groups with regard to baseline self-reporting of hunger prior to the start of the computer tasks, overweight participants were five times more likely to choose the food rewards than average-weight participants.

Figure 1 Study 1 reward scheduleFor Study 2, obese participants were recruited for a 16-week weight-loss study and randomly assigned to one of two groups: A control group (n = 32) or an experimental group (n = 35) . Control participants engaged in weekly weigh-ins only. Experimental participants engaged in weekly weigh-ins but also earned or lost money (put into an account and paid at the end of the study) based on their weigh-in goal, calculated each week based on current body mass index (BMI) , age, and sex. Those who reached their weekly weight goal earned $10; for each additional pound lost, participants earned another $10, up to $50/week. Participants in the experimental group who did not meet or exceed their weekly weight goal had $20 deducted from their accounts. No significant differences were found in baseline variables for either group; however, members of the control group lost an average of 5.9 pounds, whereas members of the experimental group lost an average of 18.1 pounds.
B. E. Saelens and L. H. Epstein ©1996 Elsevier B.V.
-Both studies use which of the following?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0cb3_b076_a3bf_fbfe6bf877f8_MD0008_00 In operant conditioning, reinforcers encourage behavior whereas punishers discourage behavior. Reinforcers and punishers can be primary (innate) or secondary (learned). Primary reinforcers fulfill a biological urge and are naturally rewarding. Examples of primary reinforcers are food, comforting physical contact, and praise. Secondary reinforcers are not inherently rewarding but are conditioned to be desirable through associative learning. For example, if a child brings home good grades, the parent may reinforce this behavior with praise or candy (primary reinforcers) so the child feels happy. The child then associates feeling good with good grades, resulting in grades becoming a secondary reinforcer. Primary punishers are naturally undesirable and cause negative emotions such as pain or fear. Examples of primary punishers include an electric shock or a loud noise. Secondary punishers are not inherently negative but are conditioned to be undesirable through associative learning. For example, if a child brings home bad grades, the parent may punish this behavior with a scolding (primary punisher) so the child feels bad. The child then associates feeling bad with bad grades, resulting in grades becoming a secondary punisher. Both studies use money, a secondary reinforcer, as a reward. (Choice A) Study 1 uses a food reward as a primary reinforcer. Study 2 does not include any primary reinforcement. (Choice C) Neither study employs a primary punisher, such as a painful or fear-inducing stimulus. (Choice D) Study 1 does not use any form of punishment. Study 2 uses the removal of a desirable stimulus (money) as a form of punishment, but this is referred to as negative punishment, not as a secondary punisher. Educational objective: Reinforcers encourage behavior; punishers discourage behavior. Reinforcers and punishers can be primary (innate) or secondary (learned). Primary reinforcers are innately desirable (eg, food), whereas secondary reinforcers are made desirable through learning (eg, good grades). Primary punishers are innately undesirable (eg, electric shock), whereas secondary punishers are made undesirable through learning (eg, bad grades).

Passage Researchers Conducted a Pair of Studies to Explore How Rewards