The Director of the Local Boys' Club Is Concerned About

question 64

Essay

The director of the local boys' club is concerned about the hostility exhibited by Jeremy, a 14-year-old boy who comes to the club frequently with his friends. Jeremy uses obscene language at the club, and he sometimes displays physical aggression toward the club facilities he kicks furniture, punches the walls, and so on). Use an instrumental conditioning framework to address the following questions.
a. The director first decides to eliminate Jeremy's hostile behaviors by ignoring them. In behaviorist terminology, what is the director trying to do?
b. This ignoring strategy does not seem to lead to any reduction in Jeremy's hostility. Using an instrumental conditioning framework, give at least two possible explanations for the failure of the director's approach.
c. The director then begins to praise Jeremy on those rare occasions when he does behave appropriately. In behaviorist terminology, how is the director now trying to eliminate the hostility?
d. This second approach does not seem to work any better than the first one did. Using an instrumental conditioning framework, give at least two possible explanations for the failure of this approach.

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Definitions:

In Personam Jurisdiction

A court's authority to make a decision affecting a particular individual's rights and obligations.

Federal Appeal

A legal process in which a party requests a higher court to review the decision of a lower court.

State Trial Court

The court of first instance in a U.S. state that handles both criminal and civil cases, differing from appellate courts.

Damages

Financial compensation awarded by a court to indemnify loss or harm suffered as a result of another party's actions or negligence.