Sean is a high school student who is angry much of the time. He often vents his anger by swearing at his teacher. One day his teacher decides to extinguish Sean's swearing by ignoring him whenever he swears. Yet over the next few weeks, Sean continues to swear as frequently as he always has. Three of the following are possible explanations as to why, from a behaviorist perspective, the teacher's "extinction" strategy is not working. Which alternative is the least likely explanation?
A) Other students are reinforcing Sean's swearing.
B) Sean's swearing has previously been reinforced on an intermittent basis.
C) Swearing allows Sean to release pent-up anger, so he is being negatively reinforced.
D) Sean is being reinforced for swearing by means of the Premack Principle.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Premack Principle suggests that higher frequency behaviors can be used to reinforce lower frequency behaviors. In this case, it is unlikely that Sean's swearing is being reinforced by some higher frequency behavior, since the teacher is ignoring him whenever he swears. Therefore, the least likely explanation is that Sean is being reinforced for swearing by means of the Premack Principle.

Sean Is a High School Student Who Is Angry Much