Chapter 9 Case Study

1. Is Haley's fear of men most likely due to classical or operant conditioning? Justify your response (yes, it will all be hypothetical as we do not have enough information in this case).

I'd have to say classical because Haley's "involentary" response is because of two different situations with men, so she involentarily responds the same way to all men. I would have said opperant, but I don't believe that the hypothetical abuse she sees or has at home from men would be considered a positive reinforcement (increasing behavior). I would look at it as punishment. The reason I think this is because the Male Violin teacher didn't see her behave in any way that the males at her home would see.

2. How might you explain Meredith's aggressive behaviors from the perspective of operant conditioning?

Well, because Meredith get's what she wants (positive reinforcement) she continues to act out aggressively. If she's not getting negative reinforcement for her behavior then she will continue. She could also see siblings or family members hit or control others to get what they want and would want to do the same to get what she wants.

3. What strategies from Chapter 9 might a teacher use in working with Haley? Be specific and describe how each strategy could be used.

I think that shaping would help Haley most. She can slowly see how the Male Violin teacher means no harm to any other students and won't harm her.

Another one could be token reward system. By rewarding her to go to Violin class she is enforcing the Premack Principle, (doing something she doesn't like to get something she likes) that works with the token reward.

4. What strategies from Chapter 9 might a teacher use in working with Meredith? Be specific and describe how each strategy could be used.

I think cueing would be my first step. I would cue when she is about to behave in an inappropriate way and say something like "remember students we aren't supposed to hit in class." Then I would slowly "shape" her into behaving nicely to other students.I would also  use the reinforcing inappropriate behavior by letting her use her energy in a different direction, maybe by drawing or creating something.