On Thu, 10 Feb 2000, Kenneth M. Steele wrote:
>
> Poor proofreading of textbooks.
>
> Today's example is the conglomeration of punishment, negative
> reinforcement, and positive reinforcement.
>
> See Figure 6.22 (p. 239)in
> Weiten, W. (1998). Themes and variations (4th ed.)
>
(Ken has now graciously offered to provide a JPEG file of the
offending item for the curious and for those who want to be
scandalized)
OK, I've now admired Ken's exhibit A, and it's impressive. It deserves
the Nobel Prize in confusing students. How something as tangled as
that ever slipped through is a major mystery, and I pity the poor
student who comes on it without warning.
Were I stuck with assigning the text and of a whimsical nature, I'd
offer bonus points for figuring how to correct it. I'd say take the
headings at the left under "process". For "positive reinforcement"
substitute "negative reinforcement", and for "negative reinforcement"
substitute "punishment". If that sounds confusing, believe me (and
Ken), it is.
How'm I doin', Ken? Do I get the points?
-Stephen
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Stephen Black, Ph.D. tel: (819) 822-9600 ext 2470
Department of Psychology fax: (819) 822-9661
Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Lennoxville, QC
J1M 1Z7
Canada Department web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy
Check out TIPS listserv for teachers of psychology at:
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