Educational Psychology / Unit 4 EDP 0316 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Naming the Quadrant
The idea
To name the operant quadrant for a classroom consequence, ask two questions in order. First, did the behavior afterward become more or less frequent? More means reinforcement; less means punishment. Second, was something added or taken away? Added means positive; taken away means negative. Combine the two answers. The labels describe what happened to the behavior and to the stimulus, not whether the consequence felt pleasant or was intended kindly.
In practice
Worked example: a student who finishes classwork early is excused from homework, and early finishing increases. Something aversive was removed and the behavior rose: negative reinforcement.
Where people slip
Negative does not mean bad. Negative reinforcement strengthens behavior by removing something unpleasant; it is not punishment. And a scolding meant as punishment is reinforcement if the behavior it follows increases, as can happen when the attention itself is what a student wants.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for Educational Psychology