Read the passage and answer the questions:
Abby is very annoying by nature. He does not follow what his parents say and refuses to obey them. He constantly bothers his parents and classmates with his improper behavior and does not regularly complete the homework given by his teachers. After seeing Abby’s behavior, his parents take him to a psychotherapist in order to understand why he behaves the way he does. The psychotherapist planned to administer behavioural therapy for modifying his behaviour.
Identify the technique in which Abby’s unwanted behavior can be reduced, and wanted behavior can be increased simultaneously.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Differential reinforcement
Option (1) Token economy — Incorrect. Tokens are given for each wanted behaviour and later exchanged for a reward. It builds up wanted behaviour; it does not set out to reduce an unwanted one at the same time.
Option (2) Modelling — Incorrect. The client learns a behaviour by watching a role model, with small changes rewarded along the way. It teaches a new behaviour by example.
Option (3) Reciprocal inhibition — Incorrect. This is the principle behind systematic desensitisation: when two opposing states are present together, the weaker is inhibited, so relaxation overcomes mild anxiety. It treats fears, not behaviour problems like Abby’s.
Option (4) Differential reinforcement — Correct. It works on two behaviours at once: it reduces the unwanted behaviour and increases the wanted one simultaneously. The wanted behaviour is rewarded while the unwanted one is either negatively reinforced or, less painfully and equally effectively, ignored. For Abby, the therapist would reward him each time he finishes his homework and give no attention to his bothering.
NCERT (2025-26): “Behavioural Techniques … Unwanted behaviour can be reduced and wanted behaviour can be increased simultaneously through differential reinforcement. Positive reinforcement for the wanted behaviour and negative reinforcement for the unwanted behaviour attempted together may be one such method. The other method is to positively reinforce the wanted behaviour and ignore the unwanted behaviour. The latter method is less painful and equally effective.…” |