Which scenario best illustrates the Premack Principle in action?

The Premack Principle states that more preferred activities can be used as reinforcers for less preferred activities. In this scenario, allowing a child to play video games after completing their homework demonstrates this principle effectively. The highly preferred activity of playing video games serves as a reward that motivates the child to engage in the less preferred activity of homework. This approach encourages the child to develop a positive association between finishing homework and enjoying video games, thereby increasing the likelihood that they will complete their homework in the future.

Options that involve forcing a child to do chores or offering snacks contingent upon completing chores do not illustrate the Premack Principle because they do not use a more preferred activity as a reward to encourage a less preferred task; rather, they impose a requirement without a focus on reinforcing positive behavior through a preferred outcome. Similarly, taking away privileges creates a punitive environment that does not align with the Premack Principle, which is fundamentally about promoting engagement through positive reinforcement rather than punishment.