According to B. F. Skinner's research on operant conditioning, what did he conclude about the relative effectiveness of reinforcements and punishments in shaping behavior?

• A. Punishments are more effective than reinforcements for establishing long-term behavioral change.
• B. Reinforcements are generally more effective than punishments for increasing desired behaviors.
• C. Both reinforcements and punishments are equally effective in shaping behavior.
• D. Neither reinforcements nor punishments have a significant impact on behavior according to Skinner.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the key concepts of operant conditioning as proposed by B. F. Skinner, which involves learning through consequences of behavior, specifically reinforcements and punishments.
2. Step 2: Define reinforcement as any consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior recurring, and punishment as any consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior recurring.
3. Step 3: Review Skinner's research findings that reinforcements tend to be more effective in encouraging and maintaining desired behaviors over time compared to punishments.
4. Step 4: Recognize that punishments may suppress unwanted behavior temporarily but are less effective for long-term behavioral change and can have negative side effects.
5. Step 5: Conclude that Skinner emphasized the use of reinforcements as a more reliable and positive method for shaping and sustaining behavior.