A manager who feels anxious about speaking in front of large groups frequently has a couple of glasses of wine to relax before beginning to speak. This "medicinal" use of alcohol can be explained MOST easily:
A) by opponent-process theory.
B) through molecular biological analysis.
C) by operant conditioning.
D) as genetic predisposition.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The manager's behavior can be explained by operant conditioning, as the consumption of alcohol reduces anxiety (a negative state), thus the behavior (drinking alcohol before speaking) is reinforced because it leads to a desirable outcome (feeling relaxed). This is an example of negative reinforcement, where a behavior is strengthened because it removes or diminishes a negative outcome.

A Manager Who Feels Anxious About Speaking in Front of Large