Ben's Father,Sean,is Very Authoritative

question 93

Essay

Ben's father,Sean,is very authoritative.He often puts Ben in a time-out for fighting with his sister,takes away his favorite toy when he stays up past his bedtime,and restricts his daily TV time if he does not get good grades.Ben's mother,Tanya,is friendly and supportive.She frequently takes Ben for ice cream when he does well on his homework assignments,praises him when he comes home from tennis practice,and gives him a weekly allowance if he completes his chores.
a) Write a definition of operant conditioning and explain how each of Ben's parents is using this type of conditioning in different ways to influence his behavior.
b) Is each of Ben's parents using reinforcement or punishment? Be specific in explaining your answer. How do you know which one they're using?
c) Give one example of how Sean could use the Premack principle to get Ben to go to bed on time.

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Definitions:

Inappropriately

In a manner that is not suited to the circumstances or conditions; improperly.

Marginal Coping Skills

Refers to barely adequate or less-than-effective strategies for managing stress and life's challenges.

Childhood Trauma

Psychological distress stemming from events experienced during childhood, which can lead to long-term mental and physical health issues.

Risk for Violence

The potential or likelihood of a person to exhibit behaviors that could cause harm to themselves or others.