Question at position 21 A person is afraid of elevators but starts using the stairs, which reduces their anxiety. As a result, they increasingly choose the stairs. This behavior is strengthened through:Positive punishmentNegative reinforcementClassical conditioningClear my selection单项选择题
A
Positive punishment
B
Negative reinforcement
C
Classical conditioning

Question

Question at position 21 A person is afraid of elevators but starts using the stairs, which reduces their anxiety. As a result, they increasingly choose the stairs. This behavior is strengthened through:Positive punishmentNegative reinforcementClassical conditioningClear my selection单项选择题

A

Positive punishment

B

Negative reinforcement

C

Classical conditioning

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Removing an aversive stimulus increases a behavior; this is negative reinforcement.

1. Relevant knowledge points and concepts
- Operant conditioning: behaviors are modified by their consequences (B.F. Skinner).  
- Reinforcement (positive/negative) increases the likelihood of a behavior.  
  - Positive reinforcement: add a pleasant stimulus after a behavior to increase it.  
  - Negative reinforcement: remove an aversive stimulus after a behavior to increase it.  
- Punishment (positive/negative) decreases behavior.  
- Classical conditioning involves learning associations between stimuli, not consequences that change behavior frequency.

2. Step-by-step reasoning
- Identify the behavior: choosing to use the stairs instead of elevators.  
- Identify the consequence: anxiety (an aversive internal state) is reduced when the person uses the stairs.  
- Determine the effect on behavior: because anxiety is reduced, the person increasingly chooses the stairs.  
- Map this to operant categories: a behavior that is followed by removal of an aversive stimulus (anxiety) and consequently increases is negative reinforcement.

3. Calculations
- Not applicable; this is conceptual learning theory.

4. Why the correct answer is correct
- The stairs remove the unpleasant anxiety (aversive stimulus). Removal of an aversive condition contingent on the behavior strengthens that behavior—by definition, negative reinforcement.

5. Why other options are incorrect
- Positive punishment: would involve adding an aversive stimulus to decrease behavior (e.g., shocking someone to stop elevator use). Here behavior increases, not decreases, and nothing aversive is added.  
- Classical conditioning: would involve forming an association between a neutral stimulus and an aversive one (e.g., elevator doors paired with anxiety), producing a conditioned response. This scenario describes behavioral change due to consequences (operant), not stimulus pairings.

6. Conclusion
This behavior is strengthened through negative reinforcement, which matches the provided answer: Negative reinforcement.

Question at position 21 A person is afraid of elevators but starts using the stairs, which reduces their anxiety. As a result, they increasingly choose the stairs. This behavior is strengthened through:Positive punishmentNegative reinforcementClassical conditioningClear my selection单项选择题

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