Which of the following best illustrates a functional explanation of behavior of the type advocated by radical behaviorists?
A) "Punishing a child in one context causes the child to expect punishment in many contexts."
B) "An organism's desire to escape an electric shock motivates bar-pressing behavior."
C) "Drinking alcohol causes one to lose the ability to think rationally."
D) none of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Radical behaviorists, such as B.F. Skinner, focus on observable behaviors and the external stimuli that reinforce or punish these behaviors, rather than internal states or motivations like desires or expectations. None of the provided options align with this perspective, as they all imply internal states or cognitive processes.

Which of the Following Best Illustrates a Functional Explanation of Behavior