Giselle Is Three Weeks Old and During a Diaper Change

question 32

Multiple Choice

Giselle is three weeks old and during a diaper change she looks up at her mother and smiles. Her mother gets very excited and immediately tells her husband, Chin, what happened. Since Chin has read your textbook, he thinks to himself:

• A) ​Giselle is smiling as a result of operant conditioning, not as a result of an emotional state.
• B) ​This was a paradoxical smile, as children at this age will frequently demonstrate the wrong facial expressions based on the emotion they are currently experiencing.
• C) ​Giselle already recognizes her mother and feels joy when she is nearby.
• D) ​It is way too early for Giselle to be experiencing a social smile.

Understand the impact of reinforcement magnitude, timing, and frequency on the strength of learned behaviors.

Compare and contrast negative reinforcement and punishment.

Apply knowledge of operant conditioning to suggest behavioral modification techniques.

Grasp the concept and applications of contingency management.

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Definitions:

Action Potential

A temporary reversal of the electrical polarity of the neuron's membrane, facilitating the transmission of nerve impulses.

Excitation

The process or state of being energized or stimulated to action or to increased activity.

Inhibition

The process of suppressing or restraining a behavioral or biological response.

Stimulants

Substances that increase activity in the brain and body, often enhancing alertness, attention, and energy.