Question 85

Development is best understood by knowing which actions have previously been reinforced and punished.

A behavioral psychologist would endorse the view that development is significantly influenced by reinforcement and punishment, as these concepts are central to behavioral theories of learning and behavior modification.

A) To best understand development, one must first account for the influence of five environmental systems.

This option reflects an ecological perspective, which is not primarily associated with behavioral psychology. Behavioral psychologists focus on observable behavior and its modification through reinforcement and punishment, rather than on environmental systems influencing development.

B) Children rely on higher-order processing.

This statement pertains to cognitive psychology, emphasizing complex mental processes, which is not the primary focus of behavioral psychology. Behavioral psychologists concentrate on observable behaviors rather than cognitive processes, making this option incorrect.

C) Individuals can become fixated at an early stage of development if their libidos are not gratified properly.

This option is grounded in Freudian psychoanalytic theory rather than behavioral psychology. Behavioral psychologists do not emphasize libido or fixation stages; instead, they focus on how behavior is shaped by reinforcement and consequences.

D) Children are like little scientists, actively constructing their knowledge individually.

This option aligns more closely with constructivist theories, which view children as active learners. While behavioral psychologists recognize learning, they do not conceptualize children as "little scientists"; rather, they emphasize the role of reinforcement in shaping behavior.

E) Development is best understood by knowing which actions have previously been reinforced and punished.

This statement accurately reflects the core principles of behavioral psychology. It highlights the importance of reinforcement and punishment in understanding and influencing behavior, which is fundamental to behavioral theories.

Conclusion

The correct answer, option E, is definitively supported by the principles of behavioral psychology, which prioritize the role of reinforcement and punishment in shaping behavior. All other options either draw from different psychological perspectives or emphasize concepts that behavioral psychologists do not endorse, thereby reinforcing the correctness of option E.