Kathryn Wheelwright
Taylor Robison
Psychology Per: 8
Conditioning while eating out
Section 1 Description of the restaurant (including if it has a play area), date, and time of
observation.
- Taylor Robison and I went to Chick-fil-a in the District on February 23, 2017 at 11-
12 in the afternoon. We sat in the back next to the windows, kiddy corner to the play
area. The play area was a separate space with a door and windows. It was mostly full of
mothers with their children including a little girl's birthday party. The birthday party was in
the middle of the restaurant directly across the play area.
Section 2 Three observations. Each observation should state which principle of operant
conditioning you will describe at the beginning. Description of subjects (adults and children)
including estimated age, gender, and ethnicity should be included. What specifically did you
observe that demonstrated the principle being discussed? How effective was the technique?
- Extinction- (mother does not give into her child, behavior is extinct) A 30 year
old brunette caucasian mother, with two children, got up from the table to go to the cash
register, when her 2 caucasian boy started crying and frantically running after her,
because he was afraid of her leaving his sight. However, without his mother giving any
attention to his temper tantrum he went back to the table, sat down, stopped crying, and
continued eating. The mother than returned to the table several seconds later, and the
little boy had forgot entirely what had previously happened.
- Negative reinforcement (Baby reinforcing mother)- A 30 year old brunette
caucasian mother (same mother in the first story) while eating her lunch, looked stressed
as she tried to entertain both children while making them eat their lunch. When her 10
month year old caucasian baby boy started crying until he gets his bottle. In order to get
the baby stop crying she quickly gave the baby a bottle and the crying then immediately
stopped.
- Positive reinforcement- A 33 year old brunette causcasion mother was sitting at
the with her children and friend with her children. Her children were sitting on the same
side of the booth as their mother. When a male Chick fil A worker named Brandon, came
by offering the white mints from his basket. The mother took five white mints, after the
waiter walked away the small three year old caucasian daughter shouted at her mother,
mom I want a mint. Her mother responds with, no Jessica you dont get a mint until
you eat your strawberries.
Section 3 Reflection on the assignment. If using the written format, this should be at least two
paragraphs in length. How can you apply what you have learned in a meaningful way? How
would you critique naturalistic observation as a research method? Do you think the results of
your observations are consistent with parenting practice in society? Other comments including
misuse of principles, failure to use principles, questions that came up, surprises, etc.
As we observed many parents and children in Chick-fil-a, we were intrigued to see how
many principles were used and misused. First, we noticed that a mother can misuse one of the
principles even though she has no idea. For example when the mother gave into the crying
baby, because he wanted a bottle. Doing this reinforces the baby to cry until he gets what he
wants. However, we noticed the same mother used another principle correctly when dealing
with her older child. She used extinction when ignoring her child because she knew that he
wouldnt continue crying and fussing over her leaving. Thus, he knew his mother wouldnt give
him the attention or pick him up so he sat back down. However, we observed the other mother
using positive reinforcement. Yet, we weren't sure if the little girl would have actually finished her
strawberries before receiving her mint, but she had listened to her mother. We realized that this
is probably the most common principle used in society today. We also think that this principle is
very beneficial to teach children, because it shows them that they need to work for something
before they can get what they want. Which shows how the different principles are used in
society and their effectiveness.
Therefore, when using naturalistic observation in a public area we are not sure if the
result would have been affected due to the public aspect. Some of the principles may be used
differently in a public setting rather than in their homes. There are many factors that can affect
why principles are used differently based on setting: People worry what others will think, to not
cause a scene, and what is the simplest/easiest way to solve this problem. Therefore,
naturalistic observation cannot predict if the parents respond the same or different in their
homes. Thus, we think many of these principles are used in society, but many alter when
exposed to society and public ideals. This has taught us that we can apply what we have
learned into society and the public aspect, especially in future generations and when we have
children. We also think that the most important thing that needs to implemented is that the
principles that are used are consistent in society and in the home.
