Which concept involves making the opportunity to engage in a high-probability behavior contingent on the occurrence of a low-frequency behavior?

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The Premack Principle is the correct concept that explains making the opportunity to engage in a high-probability behavior contingent on the occurrence of a low-frequency behavior. This principle is based on the idea that more preferred behaviors (high-probability behaviors) can be used as reinforcers for less preferred behaviors (low-probability behaviors). For example, if a child enjoys playing video games (the high-probability behavior) but is not as enthusiastic about doing homework (the low-frequency behavior), the child may be allowed to play video games only after completing their homework. This not only encourages the completion of less preferred tasks but also leverages the motivation stemming from more desirable activities.

In contrast, a behavioral token economy involves using tokens as a form of reinforcement that can be exchanged for various rewards, which is a different approach. Operant conditioning is a broader learning process that includes reinforcement and punishment but does not specifically highlight the relationship between behaviors as described by the Premack Principle. Classical conditioning, on the other hand, focuses on learning through association rather than through the contingency of different behaviors. Therefore, the Premack Principle uniquely captures the essence of using high-probability behaviors to reinforce low-frequency behaviors, making it the correct choice in this context.

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