Dillon is four years old, and his parents want to teach him to say "please" and "thank you." Which method will be most useful for modifying Dillon's behaviour?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning is the best method for modifying Dillon's behavior because it involves using rewards and punishments to increase or decrease specific behaviors. Dillon can be positively reinforced for saying "please" and "thank you" by receiving praise, attention, or small rewards like stickers or treats. On the other hand, he can be negatively reinforced by not receiving what he wants unless he uses polite manners. With consistent reinforcement, Dillon is likely to learn and repeat these behaviors in the future. Non-contingent reinforcement, classical conditioning, and higher-order conditioning are not as effective in modifying specific behaviors in young children.

Dillon Is Four Years Old, and His Parents Want to Teach