Early Childhood Education (ECE) NOCTI Practice Exam

Who is a Behaviorist that believed that repeated positive reinforcement following appropriate behavior leads to behavior changes?

1. Lev Vygotsky

2. Albert Bandura

3. B.F. Skinner

4. Jean Piaget

The correct answer is: B.F. Skinner

The correct answer is C. B.F. Skinner, who is renowned for his work in behaviorism, particularly his ideas surrounding operant conditioning. Skinner established that behaviors could be shaped and modified through reinforcement and punishment. He emphasized the importance of positive reinforcement, suggesting that when individuals receive rewards for specific behaviors, they are more likely to repeat those behaviors in the future. This principle is foundational in behavior modification strategies and is widely applied in various educational and therapeutic settings. Skinner's experimental work with animals, using devices like the Skinner box, provided evidence that consistent reinforcement leads to significant behavior changes over time. The other individuals mentioned have distinct contributions to the field of psychology and education, but they do not focus specifically on the concept of reinforcement in the same way as Skinner. Lev Vygotsky is primarily known for his social development theory and the concept of the Zone of Proximal Development, while Albert Bandura is best known for his social learning theory, which emphasizes imitation and modeling over direct reinforcement. Jean Piaget is celebrated for his theories on cognitive development, focusing on how children construct knowledge through stages.