Question

(a) which situation best illustrates operant conditioning?

a student studies more after earning praise for a good grade.
a dog salivates when it hears a bell previously paired with food.
a person flinches when hearing a loud noise.
a child learns new words by watching others speak.

Explanation:

Define operant conditioning

Using the Behavioral Conditioning knowledge point
Operant conditioning is a learning process where voluntary behaviors are modified by their consequences, such as reinforcement or punishment.

Analyze the first option

The student's voluntary behavior (studying more) increases because of a positive consequence (earning praise). This is a classic example of positive reinforcement within operant conditioning.

Analyze the second option

A dog salivating to a bell paired with food is an involuntary, reflex-like response triggered by an association between two stimuli. This represents classical conditioning.

Analyze the third option

Flinching at a loud noise is an unlearned, involuntary physiological reflex (an unconditioned response) rather than operant learning.

Analyze the fourth option

A child learning by watching others speak represents observational learning (modeling), which is a cognitive and social learning process rather than direct operant conditioning.

Answer:

• (A) A student studies more after earning praise for a good grade. (Correct answer)
• (B) A dog salivating when it hears a bell previously paired with food.
• (C) A person flinches when hearing a loud noise.
• (D) A child learns new words by watching others speak.