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Positive reinforcement — MRCPsych Paper A MCQ

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HardPsychologyPositive reinforcementMRCPsych Paper A

For 4 weeks, a teenager lost one existing gaming token whenever he failed to submit a scheduled practice paper, but his submission rate remained low. This rule continued, and a second contingency was introduced: immediately after each submitted paper, he received an additional token exchangeable for gaming time. His submission rate then increased. Which learning process most specifically explains the increase following the second contingency?

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Correct answer: C — Positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is the addition of a valued consequence after a behaviour, resulting in an increased future frequency of that behaviour. Here, an additional gaming token is delivered immediately after submission, and submissions subsequently increase. The token is also a conditioned or secondary reinforcer because it can be exchanged for gaming time. Negative punishment describes the earlier removal of an existing token after non-submission, not the newly effective contingency. Negative reinforcement would require removal of an aversive stimulus after submission. Positive punishment adds an aversive consequence to reduce behaviour. Extinction involves withholding a reinforcer that previously maintained a behaviour, usually causing that behaviour to decline.

Reference: NHS Health Education England. Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy (v1), section 10: Reward and threat, accessed 15 August 2026. https://behaviourchange.hee.nhs.uk/downloads/toolkit/Behaviour%20Change%20Technique%20Taxonomy.pdf