All of the following factors influence the effectiveness of reinforcement in operant conditioning except

a.
timing
b.
extinction
c.
magnitude
d.
shaping

To solve this without understanding what operant conditioning is, a person only needs to look at the given answers and apply them to the blank space. "Effectiveness of reinforcement" implies some measurement in use. The answers Timing, Magnitude, and Shaping can all be measured in low or high amounts. So they could possibly be factors. When applied to the blank space, someone who doesn't know what operant conditioning is wont know if Timing, Magnitude, or Shaping is a factor or not. However, The word extinction is an absolute. There is no measurement of extinction. This word alone being different from the rest sets it apart. If extinction is applied to the blank space, it becomes even more clear how similar the other words are to each other. And since we're looking for one element that is NOT a factor in operant conditioning, then the answer is B. Extinction.