A Research Psychologist Is Interested in Whether Children Who Play

question 53

Multiple Choice

A research psychologist is interested in whether children who play violent videogames display above average violent behavior in real life. Which approach to this question could the psychologist take that would be consistent with the principles of empiricism?

• A) Use common sense to determine if there is a connection.
• B) Ask children to speculate about the connection.
• C) Carefully measure the type and amount of videogame play in children and observe their behavior.
• D) Ask parents and teachers to speculate about the connection.

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Definitions:

Negative Reinforcement

A process in behavioral psychology where the removal of an undesirable stimulus strengthens a behavior.

Positive Reinforcement

A method in behavioral psychology of increasing the likelihood of a specific response by following it with a pleasurable or rewarding stimulus.

Target Response

In behaviorism, it refers to a desired behavior or outcome that is sought in a conditioning process.

Negative Reinforcer

A stimulus that, when removed after a behavior, increases the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future.