What principle of learning is Mayra demonstrating when she tells her daughter that she does not have to do the dishes for a week because she did so well on her weekly spelling test at school

Mayra is demonstrating the principle of learning called positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement involves the addition of a rewarding stimulus following a desired behavior. In this context, the desired behavior is the daughter doing well on her weekly spelling test. The rewarding stimulus is the relief from not having to do the dishes for a week. The principle suggests that because the daughter receives a positive outcome (reward), she is more likely to repeat the behavior of studying hard and doing well on future spelling tests, since she associates it with a pleasant consequence.

Extra: Positive reinforcement is a key concept in operant conditioning, a theory of learning developed by B.F. Skinner, a renowned psychologist. Operant conditioning is part of the behavioral psychology that focuses on strengthening or weakening voluntary behaviors using reinforcement or punishment.

There are different types of reinforcers:

1. Primary reinforcers: These are naturally reinforcing, meaning they do not require any learning to be considered pleasurable (e.g., food, water, relief from pain).

2. Secondary reinforcers: These are stimuli that acquire their reinforcing power through their association with primary reinforcers (e.g., money, grades, tokens).

Positive reinforcement is not the only strategy used in operant conditioning. Others include:

- Negative reinforcement: Where a response or behavior is strengthened by stopping, removing or avoiding a negative outcome or aversive stimulus. - Punishment: Introducing an unfavorable outcome or consequence in order to weaken a behavior. This can be either by adding a negative stimulus (positive punishment) or removing a positive stimulus (negative punishment).

- Extinction: This occurs when reinforcements stop following a behavior which leads to the behavior eventually decreasing in frequency.

Understanding these principles of learning allows parents, educators, and even employers to shape behavior in potentially constructive ways. However, it's essential to apply these principles ethically and consider the long-term impact that each might have on an individual's motivation and well-being.