In Skinner's box, pressing the lever to obtain food demonstrates which principle?

In Skinner's box, pressing the lever to obtain food demonstrates which principle?

• A. Positive Reinforcement
• B. Negative Reinforcement
• C. Punishment
• D. Extinction

Answer: (A)

The main idea is positive reinforcement. In Skinner’s box, the rat’s lever press is followed by the delivery of food, a desirable outcome that increases the likelihood of the lever-press behavior happening again. This is reinforcement through addition of a rewarding stimulus, which strengthens the response. It’s not negative reinforcement, which would involve removing something aversive to boost the behavior; nor is it punishment, which would add something unpleasant to reduce the behavior; and extinction would occur if the food stopped being given, leading the behavior to fade.

The main idea is positive reinforcement. In Skinner’s box, the rat’s lever press is followed by the delivery of food, a desirable outcome that increases the likelihood of the lever-press behavior happening again. This is reinforcement through addition of a rewarding stimulus, which strengthens the response. It’s not negative reinforcement, which would involve removing something aversive to boost the behavior; nor is it punishment, which would add something unpleasant to reduce the behavior; and extinction would occur if the food stopped being given, leading the behavior to fade.