FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What does the Premack principle primarily involve?

1. Pairing undesirable behaviors with desirable acts

2. Using positive reinforcement for all behaviors

3. Eliminating punishments in behavior modification

4. Employing peer pressure to shape behavior

The correct answer is: Pairing undesirable behaviors with desirable acts

The Premack principle is centered around the idea that more probable behaviors can be used as reinforcement for less probable behaviors. In simpler terms, it suggests that if a person enjoys a certain activity more than another, that preferred activity can be used to encourage the less preferred activity to take place. This means that if a student does not want to complete their homework (the less desirable behavior), allowing them to play a video game afterwards (the more desirable behavior) can serve as an incentive to complete the homework first. This concept is crucial in behavior modification and suggests that by pairing undesirable behaviors with desirable actions, one can promote a change in behavior. It highlights the importance of understanding individual preferences and motivations in teaching and behavior management. The other options, while relevant to behavior modification strategies, do not capture the essence of the Premack principle, which is specifically about leveraging preferences to influence behavior.