NIMHANS Nursing Officer - 2021
Applied Psychology
Easy
A stimulus which can repeatedly enhance a behavior is called?
Appeared in: NIMHANS Nursing Officer - 2021
Explanation
- Reinforcement is a core concept in operant conditioning, a theory of learning developed by B.F. Skinner.
- It is defined as any stimulus or event that follows a behavior and increases the probability that the behavior will be repeated.
- The goal of reinforcement is always to strengthen or 'enhance' a behavior, making it more likely to occur in the future.
- This is distinct from punishment, which is a consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option A: Convolutional is a mathematical term used in computer science, particularly in artificial intelligence for image analysis. It is not related to behavioral psychology.
- Option B: Conduction refers to the transfer of energy, such as heat or electricity, or the transmission of a nerve impulse. It does not describe a process for modifying behavior.
- Option D: An autoencoder is a type of artificial neural network used in machine learning for tasks like data compression and anomaly detection. It is unrelated to behavioral science.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Behavioral Psychology: Operant Conditioning as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- Nurses frequently use reinforcement principles in patient education and behavior modification. For example, providing positive feedback (praise) to a diabetic patient who correctly demonstrates how to self-administer insulin encourages them to continue the correct technique.
- In pediatric or psychiatric nursing, token economies are a form of reinforcement where patients earn tokens for desired behaviors, which can be exchanged for rewards. This helps manage behavior and promote cooperation.
- What if the stimulus was intended to decrease a behavior? In that case, the process would be called 'Punishment'. For example, if a hospitalized child has privileges (like TV time) temporarily removed for not following safety rules, that is a form of negative punishment intended to decrease the unsafe behavior.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the key concepts in the question: 'stimulus' and 'enhance a behavior'. This combination strongly points towards a topic in learning theory or psychology.
- Next, scan the options. 'Reinforcement' is a well-known term from behavioral psychology.
- Evaluate the other options to confirm they are incorrect. 'Convolutional' and 'Autoencoder' are clearly from computer science/AI, and 'Conduction' is from physics/biology. These fields do not fit the context of modifying behavior.
- Based on this analysis, conclude that 'Reinforcement' is the only term that correctly describes a stimulus used to enhance or increase the frequency of a behavior.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Behavioral Psychology: Operant Conditioning
- Stem keywords: stimulus, enhance behavior
- Lead-in keywords: is called
- Negative lead-in flag: false
Question ID
Qj8Y3ufxuzJmocpy9UL2_f
Reference Book
E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 12689-12691
E6 Psychology Applied Sreevani 5e p. 152-154
E6 Psychology Applied Sreevani 6e Sem1 p. 153-155
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