Dr. Skinner is a behaviorist. Your co-worker, Terry, asks the good doctor why Baby Herbie gives a happy yell, smacks his lips, and grins every time Terry opens the cookie jar. Dr. Skinner is most likely to answer that Herbie:

A is in the oral stage and is naturally stimulated by the presence of food.
B is in the primary circular reactions sensorimotor substage.
C has had his behavior rewarded with cookies in the past.
D is engaging in deferred imitation

My choice is B.

User Icon for PsyDAG PsyDAG answered
11 years ago

Definitely C. After repeatedly being connected with eating cookies, the cookie jar sound has become a secondary reinforcer.