Bill and Hillary Both Work for the Same Bakery

question 162

Multiple Choice

Bill and Hillary both work for the same bakery.Bill is an expert pastry chef who begins baking at 4a.m.Hillary is a bookkeeper who works a regular 9-5 work day.Bill earns twice as much as Hillary.Which of the following could explain the higher wages that Bill earns?

• A) The employer is discriminating against women.
• B) The employer is paying a compensating differential for a job that starts very early in the morning.
• C) The employer is rewarding Bill for acquiring the human capital of a pastry chef.
• D) All of the above could be correct.

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Definitions:

Secondary Punisher

A stimulus that becomes punishing because it is associated with a primary punisher.

Negative Reinforcement

A process in behavior modification where the removal of an undesirable or unpleasant outcome after the display of a behavior increases the likelihood of the behavior being repeated in the future.

Primary Reinforcer

A stimulus that fulfills a basic biological need or instinct, such as food, water, or sleep, and is inherently rewarding.

Secondary Reinforcer

A stimulus that has become rewarding through its association with a primary reinforcer.