Bill's Behaviors in Ms

Multiple Choice

Bill's behaviors in Ms. Kennedy's class are really distracting to other students. For example, he whispers to the boy beside him when Ms. Kennedy is giving directions on how to do any assignment. He flings paper clips at a girl across the room. He makes strange grunting noises that a few classmates find amusing. Ms. Kennedy glares at him or admonishes him whenever he behaves in a distracting way, yet his inappropriate behaviors are increasing rather than decreasing. Which one of the following interpretations of this situation best explains why Bill's behaviors are increasing?

A) Ms. Kennedy is positively reinforcing him for the distracting behaviors.
B) Ms. Kennedy is negatively reinforcing him for the distracting behaviors.
C) Ms. Kennedy is vicariously reinforcing him for the distracting behaviors.
D) Ms. Kennedy is punishing him for the distracting behaviors.