A pediatric nurse who works evenings on a surgical floor in a children's hospital has been working with a 5-year-old patient who has undergone abdominal surgery. The nurse gives the patient a sticker each time the incentive spirometer is used

Question

What type of reinforcement did the nurse use? a. Social
b. Material
c. Activity
d. Negative

Answer 1

B
Examples of material reinforcers are food, toys, and music. These work best with young children. Use social reinforcers (e.g., smiles, compliments, words of encouragement, or physical contact) to acknowledge a learned behavior. Activity reinforcers (e.g., physical therapy) rely on the principle that a person is motivated to engage in an activity if there is an opportunity to participate in more desirable activity upon completion of this first activity. Negative reinforcement (frowning) may work but people usually respond better to positive reinforcement.