Premack's Principle

My theory of choice that could help Max increase his physical activity would be Premack's principle. This theory states that a highly desired behavior will reinforce a less-desired behavior (Chance, 2014). In Max's situation, since his highly desired behavior is playing video games, in order for him to do so, he must work out 1 hour a day, the least desired activity. A reinforcer of choice would be money, $5 for every day he exercises. The money would be a secondary reinforcer because it acquires its power being paired with another reinforcer (Chance, 2014); in this case, money would be paired with video games. Praising him with money would allow Max to purchase more video games. Given that we are arranging to give Max money as praise for his exercising every day, this would also be considered a Contrived reinforcer because it is an arrangement, we are making for Max to change his behavior (Chance, 2014).

A motivation operation is anything that will increase or decrease the effectiveness of the consequences (Chance, 2014). In Max's situation, the establishing operation would prevent him from playing video games unless he follows through with his workout activity. The greater level of deprivation, the more effective the reinforcer (Chance, 2014).

Since Max does not engage in any regular activity, the best schedule for him would be continuous reinforcement (CRF). This schedule is when a behavior is reinforced every time it occurs (Chance,2014). I believe this would be simple for Max to follow and will form a habit for him. This schedule will strengthen and increase the rate that the behavior is accomplished (Chance, 2014).

Respond to my colleagues' initial Discussion posting above in one or more of the following ways:

• Support or offer a different perspective to a colleague's choice and explanation of a theory of reinforcement applied to the scenario.
• Ask a probing question, or offer a suggestion about the choice of the reinforcer(s) and provide the foundation, or a rationale, for the question.
• Ask a probing question, or offer a suggestion about the choice of the motivating operation and provide the foundation, or a rationale, for the question.
• Ask a probing question, or offer a suggestion about the choice of the reinforcement schedule and provide the foundation, or a rationale, for the question.