DSSSB -28 August 2019 (Shift-2)
Applied Psychology
Medium
Which of the following statements is NOT true of operant conditioning?
Appeared in: DSSSB -28 August 2019 (Shift-2)
Explanation
- The defining characteristic of operant conditioning is that it involves voluntary behaviors, which are actions an individual consciously chooses to perform.
- The statement that responses are 'involuntary and automatic' is false because this describes the reflexive responses seen in classical (Pavlovian) conditioning.
- In classical conditioning, a neutral stimulus (like a bell) is paired with an unconditioned stimulus (like food) to elicit an involuntary response (like salivation).
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option A: This statement is true. The Law of Effect is the core principle that underlies operant conditioning, stating that behaviors followed by satisfying outcomes are more likely to be repeated.
- Option B: This statement is true. This process is known as extinction. When the reinforcement that maintained a behavior is removed, the frequency of the behavior gradually declines.
- Option D: This statement is true. In operant conditioning, the learner must actively perform a behavior to produce a consequence (reinforcement or punishment).
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Principles of Operant Conditioning as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- Nurses frequently use operant conditioning principles, such as providing praise (positive reinforcement) to a patient for adhering to their medication regimen or completing physical therapy exercises.
- Behavior modification plans for patients, such as token economies in pediatric or psychiatric settings, are based on the principles of operant conditioning.
- Understanding extinction helps nurses realize that to maintain a new, healthy behavior, reinforcement must be consistent, especially in the beginning.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the core concept being tested, which is 'operant conditioning'.
- Second, recognize the negative framing of the question ('NOT true'). This means you are searching for the one statement that is false.
- Recall the fundamental definition of operant conditioning: learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for voluntary behavior.
- Evaluate each option against this definition.
- Option A ('Law of effect') is the foundational theory. Option B ('Responses decrease when reinforcement stops') describes extinction. Option D ('Learner's role is active') refers to the voluntary nature of the behavior. All are true.
- Option C ('Responses are involuntary and automatic') directly contradicts the 'voluntary' nature of operant conditioning. This makes it the false statement and the correct answer.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Principles of Operant Conditioning
- Stem keywords: operant conditioning, NOT true
- Lead-in keywords: NOT
- Negative lead-in flag: The question asks to identify the statement that is FALSE regarding operant conditioning.
Question ID
QsqYS_Bucb_CscjURE4TPi
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. 2461-2463
E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) p. 3183-3185
Practise the full DSSSB -28 August 2019 (Shift-2)
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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