There once this 5 years old girl name Mei Mei. Most girls her age are curious, adventurous and have no care in the world. So was Mei Mei. She jumps around, can't keep still even for a minute and looks messy most of the time. Everyday, Mummy sends and picks Mei Mei up from school. Every day, after school, they would walk together hand-in-hand through a playground, a huge field and a candy store. And every day, Mummy would fuss over Mei Mei.
"Hold my hand and walk quietly beside me… A good girl doesn’t run off to like that!"
"Be a good girl and wash that dirt off your face before we go. Aiyah, so dirty,"
"Why are your shoelaces untied? Hurry and tie them up, or you will trip on it and fall,"
One sunny afternoon after school, Mummy picks Mei Mei up. Mummy noticed that Mei Mei’s shoelaces are tied up perfectly and her face is washed clean. Mei Mei held mummy’s hand and walked quietly beside her through a playground, a huge field and a candy store. At home, everything went off like any other day. Like any other night, Mummy would tuck Mei Mei in. When she was about to close the door behind her, she heard Mei Mei sobbing quietly in her bed. Mummy went in again and asked Mei Mei why she was crying.
What do you think Mei Mei said to Mummy? Why do you think Mei Mei was crying?
One of the behaviorism theories, operant conditioning where a person’s behavior can be strengthen or weaken with the right stimulus
Burrhus Frederic Skinner Behaviorism | Stimulus (what we do in response to the behavior) | Behavior | |||
Positive | Negative | Strengthen | Weaken | ||
Operant Conditioning | Positive Reinforcement | ü | ü | ||
Negative Reinforcement | ü | ü | |||
Punishment | ü | ü | |||
Extinction | ü | ||||
Positive | Examples of stimulus | Negative |
Reward, presents | Slap, spank | |
Smile, pat on the back, | Disapproving look, sneer, glare | |
Applause, cheer | Wrong buzzer sound |
Any clue in why Mei Mei cried? Would Mei Mei most likely repeat her good behavior if Mummy continues to ignore her?
...pausing for dramatic effect...
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Through her tears Mei Mei replied, ”Haven’t I’ve been a good girl today? I’ve washed my face, tied up my shoelaces, held your hand and walked quietly beside you. Did I do something wrong? Why didn’t you say anything?”
*name has been changed because I can't remember the real name