Warren has earned himself a reputation for being the class clown.His teacher, Ms. Washington, used to laugh at Warren's funny remarks but is now trying to discourage Warren's disruptive behavior by ignoring his jokes.In spite of Ms.Washington's attempts to ignore Warren, Warren sometimes tells a joke so funny that Ms.
Washington laughs in spite of herself.Rather than decreasing his joke telling, Warren begins telling even more outrageous jokes.Inadvertently, Ms.Washington is modifying Warren's joke-telling behavior through:
A)Negative reinforcement
B)Punishment
C)Extinction
D)Shaping

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Ms. Washington is inadvertently reinforcing Warren's behavior by laughing at his jokes, even if it's only occasionally. This intermittent reinforcement, especially when it follows more outrageous jokes, shapes Warren's behavior to tell even more outrageous jokes, making it an example of shaping. Shaping involves reinforcing behaviors that are increasingly closer to a desired behavior.

Warren Has Earned Himself a Reputation for Being the Class