In order to understand the contingencies of operant behaviour more fully, consider the following situations:  You have worked very hard and your employer wants you to keep on working hard. How might...

In order to understand the contingencies of operant behaviour more fully, consider the following situations:

 You have worked very hard and your employer wants you to keep on working hard. How might he or she do this? Would you prefer a raise in pay, or movement to a better office where there is less noise and fewer distractions? Would both be positive reinforcers for you, even if differing in value? If one was actually a negative reinforcer, how would this affect your working?

 Unthinkingly, you said something that hurt your friend’s feelings. Your friend now has certain options. For example, they may respond angrily to you, or they may stop speaking to you for some period of time. With both of these options, you might learn to stop hurting your friend’s feelings (i.e., this behaviour would decrease). Are they the same contingency? Which would you prefer? Why?