Which principle describes using a high-probability behavior to reinforce a low-probability behavior (the Grandma's Rule)?

• A. Programming Common Stimuli
• B. Premack Principle
• C. Principle of Behavior
• D. Positive Reinforcement

Answer: (B)

Using a high-probability behavior to reinforce a low-probability behavior is the Premack Principle, also known as Grandma’s Rule. The idea is that a behavior that a person already does frequently can function as a reinforcer for a behavior that they do less often. By making the low-probability task lead to access to the high-probability activity, you increase the likelihood that the less frequent behavior will occur. For example, “finish your homework, then you can play video games” uses the commonly performed activity as a reward for the rarer one. This is a specific way to apply reinforcement, distinct from simply giving something desirable after a behavior (positive reinforcement) and different from strategies that manipulate stimuli or cues rather than the relative frequency of behaviors.