Question

providing a child with a sticker each time he picks up his toys is an example of a

negative punishment.
positive reinforcer.
positive punishment.
negative reinforcer.

Explanation:

Analyze the behavior and consequence

Using the Operant Conditioning knowledge point, we identify the target behavior and the consequence:

• Behavior: The child picks up his toys.
• Consequence: The child is given a sticker.

Determine the operant conditioning mechanism

Using the Operant Conditioning knowledge point, we classify the consequence:

• Positive vs. Negative: A stimulus (sticker) is added or presented following the behavior, which makes it "positive."
• Reinforcement vs. Punishment: The sticker is intended to increase the likelihood that the child will pick up his toys in the future, which makes it "reinforcement."
• Therefore, the sticker acts as a positive reinforcer.

Classify the type of reinforcer

Using the Primary Reinforcers and Secondary Reinforcers knowledge points:

• A sticker is not an innate, biological need (like food or water), so it is not a primary reinforcer.
• Instead, it is a conditioned or secondary reinforcer that has acquired value through association and social learning.
• Thus, providing the sticker is an example of using a positive reinforcer.

Answer:

• negative punishment.
• positive reinforcer. (Correct answer)
• positive punishment.
• negative reinforcer.