Question

Which of the following is a criticism of operant conditioning?

• A. Over-reliance on internal thoughts
• B. Ignores the role of stimulus-response associations
• C. Over-reliance on rewards leading to decreased motivation if rewards stop
• D. Lack of ethical concerns in punishment

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Over-reliance on rewards leading to decreased motivation if rewards stop

One criticism of operant conditioning is its over-reliance on rewards, which can lead to decreased motivation if the rewards are discontinued. This highlights the issue of extrinsic motivation potentially overshadowing intrinsic motivation. Additionally, critics point out that operant conditioning may ignore internal thoughts, emotions, and cognitive processes, and that harsh punishments can raise ethical concerns.