The fact that to be effective, punishment must be aversive and reinforcement must not be trivial, suggests that ____.
A) the best type of consequences are the most extreme ones
B) punishment is a more effective means of changing behavior
C) you should know the perceptions of the person whose behavior you are trying to change
D) the same consequences will lead to the same effects in all people

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that punishment must be aversive and reinforcement must not be trivial suggests that the effectiveness of consequences is dependent on the individual's perception of them. Knowing the perceptions of the person whose behavior you are trying to change is therefore critical to choosing the best consequences. A and B are incorrect as extreme punishment may be counterproductive and reinforcement is often more effective than punishment. D is incorrect as individuals may interpret consequences differently.

The Fact That to Be Effective, Punishment Must Be Aversive