Assertion (A) : Shaping and Chaining can be used to establish any form of behaviour in any organism.
Reason (R) : ‘Instinctive drift’ is a tendency to return to the type of behaviour the organism displays under natural conditions.
Analyzing Assertion (A) and Reason (R) on Behavior Modification
This question asks us to evaluate two statements regarding behavior shaping techniques and a related phenomenon.
Analysis of Assertion (A)
Assertion (A) states: Shaping and Chaining can be used to establish any form of behaviour in any organism.
- Shaping involves reinforcing successive approximations toward a target behavior.
- Chaining involves linking a sequence of behaviors together.
- These are powerful operant conditioning techniques.
- However, the assertion uses absolute terms: "any form of behaviour" and "any organism".
- These techniques have limitations. They are constrained by the organism's biological predispositions, instincts, and physical capabilities. Not every conceivable behavior can be trained in every species using these methods alone.
- Therefore, Assertion (A) is false due to its overly broad and universal claim.
Analysis of Reason (R)
Reason (R) states: ‘Instinctive drift’ is a tendency to return to the type of behaviour the organism displays under natural conditions.
- Instinctive drift is a recognized concept in the study of learning and behavior.
- It describes the phenomenon where an animal's innate, instinctual behaviors (its natural behavior patterns) emerge and interfere with learned behaviors, causing the learned behavior to deteriorate or revert towards the instinctual pattern.
- The definition provided in Reason (R) accurately describes this concept.
- Therefore, Reason (R) is true.
Conclusion
Based on the analysis:
- Assertion (A) is false.
- Reason (R) is true.
This corresponds to Option 4, which states that (A) is false, but (R) is true.
Important Questions from Principles and theories of learning
- A procedure that provides information to the learner in small steps, guarantees immediate feedback and allows the learner to determine the pace with which to complete the task. It is called
- Behaviour modification by the application of operant conditioning consists of the following :
a. Token economy
b. Punishment
c. Time-out
d. Withdrawal of reinforcement Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer by choosing from the codes given below :
List – I List – II a. Observational learning i. Learning where an object is located b. Place learning ii. A response that can be observed by others c. Overt responding iii. The process whereby information is acquired by attending to events in the environment d. Latent learning iv. Learning that takes place independent of reinforcement - Punishment given frequently to young students leads to
- Read each of the following two statements – Assertion (A) and Reason (R); and indicate your answer using codes given below :
Assertion (A) : Hull proposed that Reaction Potential ($S_E R$) is the product of Habit Strength ($S_H R$) and Drive (D) from this some testable prediction can be made about the rate of eye lid conditioning in relation to drive.
Reason (R) : Hull’s theory is based on Hypothetico-Deductive model which involved deducting testable consequences based on postulates.
