Which stimulus if given to an individual, that will decrease the probability that a previous behavior will re… - RRB Nsg Superintendent -29 April 2025 (Shift-1st)

RRB Nsg Superintendent -29 April 2025 (Shift-1st)

Psychology

Easy

Appeared in: RRB Nsg Superintendent -29 April 2025 (Shift-1st)

Explanation

Punishment is a core principle of operant conditioning defined as any consequence that weakens or decreases the likelihood of a preceding behavior.
The question describes a stimulus being 'given' to achieve this effect, which specifically refers to positive punishment (e.g., scolding a child for a mistake).
Both positive punishment (adding an aversive stimulus) and negative punishment (removing a desirable stimulus) result in a decrease in the target behavior.
Therefore, 'Punishment' is the correct umbrella term for the process described.

Option A: Reinforcement is the opposite of punishment; its purpose is to increase the probability that a behavior will be repeated, not decrease it.
Option B: Extinction is the process of weakening a behavior by no longer providing reinforcement for it. It involves withholding a stimulus, not giving one.
Option C: A neutral stimulus is one that does not initially elicit any specific response from an individual. It does not inherently increase or decrease the probability of a behavior.

Visual 1: Flowchart - A diagram illustrating the four quadrants of operant conditioning: Positive Reinforcement (Add pleasant, Increase behavior), Negative Reinforcement (Remove unpleasant, Increase behavior), Positive Punishment (Add unpleasant, Decrease behavior), and Negative Punishment (Remove pleasant, Decrease behavior). This visual clarifies the relationship between the action (adding/removing a stimulus) and the effect on behavior.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Operant Conditioning: Punishment as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
The principles of operant conditioning are foundational to behavioral therapies, which nurses use to help patients modify health-related behaviors like medication adherence, diet, and exercise.
In psychiatric and pediatric nursing, token economies (a form of positive reinforcement) are often used to encourage desired behaviors such as social interaction or completion of self-care tasks.
Understanding these concepts helps nurses avoid unintentionally reinforcing maladaptive behaviors, such as giving excessive attention (a form of reinforcement) to a patient's disruptive actions.

How to Approach the Question

Step 1: Identify the key phrases in the question stem: 'stimulus if given' and 'decrease the probability that a previous behavior will repeat'.
Step 2: Recall the basic definitions of the four main concepts in operant conditioning provided in the options.
Step 3: Analyze the outcome. The question asks for a decrease in behavior, which narrows the possibilities to Punishment or Extinction.
Step 4: Analyze the action. The question specifies a stimulus is 'given'. Punishment involves giving a stimulus (positive punishment) or removing one (negative punishment). Extinction involves withholding a reinforcer.
Step 5: Match the action and outcome. 'Giving' a stimulus to 'decrease' a behavior is the definition of positive punishment, which falls under the general category of Punishment.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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