Nursing Professional Development Certification (NPD-BC) Practice Exam

According to John Watson's theory of behaviorism, how should negative behavior or outcomes be addressed?

1. Provide a positive response

2. Ignore them

3. Provide a negative response

4. Vary the response according to the individual

The correct answer is: Ignore them

In the context of John Watson's theory of behaviorism, addressing negative behavior or outcomes through ignoring them aligns with the principle that behaviors are learned responses that can be modified through external stimuli. Watson emphasized that behaviors are not inherently good or bad but are shaped by the environment and experiences. By ignoring negative behaviors, one can reduce their reinforcement, thereby minimizing the likelihood of those behaviors recurring. This approach is based on the idea that attention, including negative attention, can inadvertently reinforce undesirable behaviors. In behaviorism, the focus is on observable actions rather than subjective experiences. Consequently, ignoring negative behavior prevents the addition of any reinforcing stimulus – including reactions that may inadvertently encourage the behavior. This strategy supports the idea that behaviors diminish when they do not receive reinforcement in any form.