A time that you felt confident

Consider a time that you felt confident. How would you describe this in behavioral terms? Carefully use Skinner’s analysis of “feeling” confident and outline possible contingencies to explain your “confidence”.

Full Answer Section

       
  • Stimulus Control: The student may have learned to associate certain stimuli (e.g., studying, attending class) with positive outcomes (good grades). This association can lead to feelings of confidence when these stimuli are present.
  • Self-Efficacy: The student may have developed a strong sense of self-efficacy, which is a belief in their ability to succeed. This belief can be influenced by past experiences, social modeling, and verbal persuasion.
In summary, the student's "confidence" is likely a result of a combination of factors, including a history of positive reinforcement, stimulus control, and a strong sense of self-efficacy. These factors have shaped the student's behavior and their verbal responses to their own performance, leading to the feeling of "confidence."  

Sample Answer

       

Skinner's Analysis of "Feeling" Confident:

According to Skinner, feelings are not internal states but rather verbal responses to our own behavior and the environment. So, feeling "confident" in this case would be a verbal response to the student's past success in exams.

Possible Contingencies:

  • Reinforcement History: The student's past successes in exams have likely been positively reinforced. This means that their good grades have led to positive outcomes, such as praise from teachers, parental approval, or a sense of accomplishment.