Activity for the book My Psychology

Chapter App 6.3 Punishment

Use your experience with the app in Chapter App: 6.3 Punishment or view this video overview to answer the questions.

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stickK uses operant conditioning that relies on punishment, in the form of financial penalty, to alter behavior. According to the app creators, putting money on the line quintuples your chances of success. This app is relying on .
In addition to a financial penalty, stickK users are also faced with the social pressure of friends, family, and other stickK users who can see whether they are succeeding of failing at their goals, and respond with congratulations or condemnation. These acknowledgments of good or bad behavior may be considered forms of .
stickK uses negative punishment to motivate users to change their behavior. Which of the following is an example of positive punishment?
Derrick is using the stickK app to learn to play piano. He breaks this lofty goal into a series of smaller steps: First practicing a simple piece of music, then practicing a moderately difficult piece of music, and then practicing a complicated piece of music. This gradual learning process is known as .
Sara is using the stickK app to quit smoking. She has set the goal of going a month without having a cigarette. If she fails in her goal, she will donate $1000 to lung cancer research. Which of the following statements best describes why this use of the app is punishment rather than reinforcement?