Describe Skinner's operant conditioning and give an example of positive reinforcement in class.

• A. Praise following correct work.
• B. Praise for wrong answer.
• C. Taking away a privilege after good work.
• D. Ignoring disruptive behavior.

Answer: (A)

The central idea is operant conditioning: behaviors are shaped by their consequences, and adding a desirable consequence after a targeted behavior increases the likelihood that the behavior will occur again. In a classroom, praising students after they produce correct work is a clear example of positive reinforcement. That praise is a pleasant consequence tied to the correct behavior, making it more probable that the student will try to replicate that correct work in the future.

Why this fits best: positive reinforcement focuses on giving something desirable to strengthen a desired behavior. Praising correct work directly supports and encourages the exact behavior we want to see repeat. Other options don’t reinforce the right behavior in the same way—praising a wrong answer would promote the incorrect response, taking away a privilege after good work removes a benefit (negative punishment) and can undermine motivation for the good behavior, and ignoring disruptive behavior doesn’t reward the desired action and may allow it to continue.