Identify the stimuli in the scenario and the behaviors (responses) of both Natasha and her mother.
How did Natasha’s crying start?(through what learning mechanism?)
Why has it continued?
What could you do to change her response to the siren (so that she would not cry anymore when it goes off)? (there is more than one correct response to this question)
Every day at 12 noon, Sue Smith faces the same dilemma. The local fire siren sounds to signal the mid-day and Susan’s 4 year old daughter, Natasha, begins to cry. This was not always the case, but a month ago, there was a small kitchen fire in their house. Natasha was very frightened by what followed, as men and women hurried out of large, loud trucks wearing black suits and helmets. They seemed to storm onto the property and into her house and she was left confused and afraid by the experience.
Since then, almost like clockwork, every day when the siren sounds, Natasha clings to her mother and bursts into tears. Susan discovered that the fastest way to comfort her daughter is to give her a lollipop. When she receives the candy, Natasha calms down immediately. Susan, however, is not convinced that she is doing the right thing as a parent.