Operant conditioning examples – Flashcards

fred gets a speeding ticket

emily’s professor compliments her writing ability

zachary is expelled from school for cheating on an exam

leon goes to the gym for a rare workout and pushes himself so hard that his entire body aches and he throws up

george shoots up heroin to ward off symptoms of heroin withdrawal

edna constantly complains about her husband to her colleagues at work, her coworkers get tired of her and no longer provide her with sympathy

every time joey makes his bed, his mother gives him a star sticker, joey uses these to buy TV time

molly loses her glasses while playing at the park, her parents spank her for being careless

Dutchess is a dog in a suburban neighborhood. Dutchess’s owners are trying to train her to stay in the yard by using an electric collar that gives her a shock whenever she leaves the perimeter of the yard.

when getting a shot at the Dr.’s office, sean is asked to stay still, after staying still for the shot, sean is given a lollipop for good behavior

a teacher tells her bored class that if everyone participates during the discussion, she will let them out early for recess.

jessica used to tease gabrielle making her cry. Lately Gabrielle has not been affected by jessicas teasing and she no longer responds with tears.

mitch plays roller hockey in front of his neighbors house, in a goal attempt, his hockey puck breaks the neighbors window. His father yells at him and demands that he take on an afterschool job to earn the money to replace the neighbor’s window.

police pulling drivers over and giving prizes for buckling up

suspending a basketball player for committing a flagrant foul

a soccer player rolls her eyes at a teammate who delivered a bad pass

a child snaps her fingers until her teacher calls on her

a hospital patient is allowed extra visiting time after eating a complete meal

receiving a city utility discount for participating in a recycling program

grounding a teenager until his or her homework is finished

scolding a child for playing in the street

a prisoner loses TV privileges for one week for a rule violation

a rat presses a lever to terminate a shock or a loud tone

a professor gives extra credit to student with perfect attendance

a defendant is harassed and tortured until he confesses

a young child receives $5 for earning good grades in school

a mother smiles when her child utters “Mama”

the employee of the month gets a reserved parking space

at a party, a husband becomes sullen when his wife flirts with a colleague

a woman watching a football game offers her child candy to play quietly