If a parent threatens a punishment and then backs down when the child begs for mercy,what will the parent accomplish?
A) The threatening behavior will be extinguished.
B) The begging behavior will be negatively reinforced.
C) The parent will adhere to the guidelines for punishment.
D) The child's inappropriate behavior will be extinguished.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the parent backs down after the child begs for mercy, the child learns that begging is an effective way to avoid punishment. This is an example of negative reinforcement, as the removal of the threat of punishment reinforces the behavior of begging. The threatening behavior may not necessarily be completely extinguished as the child may still test the boundaries in the future, but the begging behavior is reinforced.

If a Parent Threatens a Punishment and Then Backs Down