Which two concepts are fundamental to the reinforcement perspective in behaviorism?

• A. Positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement
• B. Classical conditioning and observational learning
• C. Punishment and extinction
• D. Cognitive mapping and latent learning

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the reinforcement perspective in behaviorism, which focuses on how behaviors are influenced by their consequences.
2. Step 2: Identify that reinforcement involves increasing the likelihood of a behavior by following it with a consequence.
3. Step 3: Recognize that there are two main types of reinforcement: positive reinforcement, which adds a pleasant stimulus to increase behavior, and negative reinforcement, which removes an unpleasant stimulus to increase behavior.
4. Step 4: Differentiate reinforcement from other concepts such as punishment (which decreases behavior) and extinction (which involves the disappearance of behavior).
5. Step 5: Conclude that the two fundamental concepts to the reinforcement perspective are positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement.