A fourth-grade class includes several children who are disruptively aggressive. In detail, explain how a behaviorist would define the problem and help the disruptive children, the teacher, and the other students
What will be an ideal response
Answers should reflect knowledge of behaviorists' emphases on observable behaviors. The student
should note that a behaviorist looks for the immediate causes and consequences of behavior.
Answers must point out that since the disruptive/aggressive behavior is continuing the children are
somehow being reinforced for it. Behaviorists believe that it is important to reinforce desired
behaviors and that when an unwanted behavior is punished a new behavior must be reinforced to
take its place.
You might also like to view...
Suppose a psychologist believes that people are on average actually smarter today then people a couple of generations ago. Which of the following explanations is most likely to be cited for the rise in IQ scores?
A) easier intelligence tests B) the use of culture-free tests C) more experience taking tests D) early childhood educational programs
Allen is troubled by some aspects of his personality and would like to explore his entire personal development in an effort to gain deeper self-understanding. He would be best served by ________ therapy
a. group b. aversive c. behavior d. insight