A physics teacher wants her students to work on several difficult physics problems that involve calculating velocity, acceleration, or time using the formula v = a x t.The teacher first has her students work on a few easy problems involving the formula.She then presents the more difficult problems; when she does so, she finds that her students are reasonably persistent in working at the problems, and most of her students eventually solve them correctly.By using the easy problems to promote persistence in her students during the more difficult ones, the teacher is, in behaviorist terminology, using the concept of:
A)cueing
B)discrimination
C)behavioral momentum
D)intermittent reinforcement

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The concept of using easier problems to promote persistence in working on more difficult ones is called behavioral momentum. This refers to the idea that the reinforcement history and level of response momentum in a behavior can affect how persistent an individual will be in continuing to engage in that behavior when they encounter obstacles or difficulties. By starting with easier problems, the teacher is building up the students' level of response momentum and increasing the likelihood that they will persist in working on the more difficult problems.

A Physics Teacher Wants Her Students to Work on Several