This book is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License“I’ve never taken any drugs!”
“Not real drugs—steroids—you weren’t listening.”
“I bet you have, though...”
On it went, with some students getting annoyed and others clearly tuning out. What if Ms Wilson
came back now?
“BE QUIET!” Jane shouted, surprised at hearing herself be so loud. Everyone got still instantly,
stunned and surprised. But not for long.
“Be quiet!” someone mimicked softly from the back of the room. A few snickers. Then someone else
said it, with sarcasm dripping from the words. “Be quiet!” Jane glowered at the class, wondering
what to do next.Questions
➢ What did Jane do wrong?
➢ (a) How could the students’ inappropriate behaviors be considered examples of operant
behaviors being reinforced?
➢ (b) In what way did Jane’s “clamping down” on the students reinforce Jane?
➢ Describe briefly a way for Jane and Ms Wilson to prevent behavior problems from
occurring when and if Jane has to take over the class unexpectedly.Educational Psychology 306 A Global Text