At home, Paul's parents hit him as punishment for misbehavior. At preschool, Paul angrily hits a playmate who takes his toy. According to social learning theory, Paul is displaying
A) classical conditioning.
B) operant conditioning.
C) behavior modification.
D) observational learning.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the social learning theory, individuals learn behavior through observation and imitation of others. In this scenario, Paul has witnessed his parents hitting him as a form of punishment, which he may have imitated in his behavior towards the playmate. This aligns with observational learning, making D the correct answer. Classical conditioning is a type of learning where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a particular response. Operant conditioning focuses on how behavior is shaped by its consequences. Behavior modification refers to the use of positive or negative reinforcement to change behavior. None of these theories are directly related to Paul's behavior as described in the scenario.

At Home, Paul's Parents Hit Him as Punishment for Misbehavior