31 Aug Discussion reply
Must be scholarly journal article to support the answer. (must be able to view the article on google) Please avoid being too wordy. Keep it simple words.
This discussion was about classical condtioning and operant conditioning
When discussing conditioning, if we gain a desired outcome we are likely to repeat the same behavior and expect the same outcome. Consider this scenario:
An individual in a bar setting sends a drink to an attractive individual, conversation ensues, and the two leave the setting together. This reinforcement would lead to repeated behavior. The desired outcome was achieved.
The individual may be likely to repeat the same behavior due to having a positive outcome. However, if the individual had a different outcome and the individual receiving the drink did not engage in conversation or go home with the individual, they may try again. If they have the same negative result they may discontinue the behavior. However, if they had success the second time and not the first they may still try the behavior again. This is where schedules of reinforcement come in to play.
As Ciccarelli and White (2019) note, a response that is reinforced after some, but not all, correct responses will be more resistant to extinction than a response that received continuous reinforcement (a reinforcer for each and every correct response. (p. 184)
With our scenario of the individual sending drinks to others would you agree with Ciccarelli and White (2019) that the behavior would be harder to stop if the individual was not positively reinforced each time?
Ciccarelli, S., & White, J. (2019). Psychology (6th ed.). Pearson Education, Inc.
