Question

6 - motivation methods and reinforcement

learning objective: identify the possible strategies associated with reinforcement theory.

when a manager introduces an unwanted outcome following poor performance to discourage that behavior, they are employing ______.

a.) positive punishment
b.) positive reinforcement
c.) negative punishment
d.) emotional intelligence

Explanation:

Analyze the stimulus and behavior

The scenario describes a manager who introduces an unwanted (unpleasant) outcome following poor performance. The goal of introducing this outcome is to discourage (decrease the frequency of) that behavior.

Define reinforcement theory terms

In operant conditioning and reinforcement theory:

• Positive refers to adding or introducing a stimulus.
• Negative refers to removing or subtracting a stimulus.
• Reinforcement aims to increase or encourage a behavior.
• Punishment aims to decrease or discourage a behavior.

Match the scenario to the correct strategy

Since the manager is introducing (adding) an outcome, it is positive.
Since the goal is to discourage (decrease) the behavior, it is a punishment.
Therefore, introducing an unwanted outcome to discourage poor performance is positive punishment.

Evaluate the given options

• a.) positive punishment: Matches the definition of adding an unpleasant stimulus to decrease a behavior.
• b.) positive reinforcement: Involves adding a desirable stimulus to increase a behavior.
• c.) negative punishment: Involves removing a desirable stimulus to decrease a behavior.
• d.) emotional intelligence: A psychological concept regarding recognizing and managing emotions, unrelated to this operant conditioning mechanism.

Answer:

• a.) positive punishment (Correct answer)
• b.) positive reinforcement
• c.) negative punishment
• d.) emotional intelligence