CLASSICAL CONDITIONING

Character 1: Alex (Child getting vaccinated)

Character 2: Parent 1 (Alex’s parent)
Character 3: Doctor
Character 4: Nurse
Character 5: Narrator

Act 1: Before Conditioning

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Narrator:
It’s a regular check-up day at the clinic. Alex, a curious child, sits calmly, unaware
of what’s coming. For Alex, the needle is still just an unfamiliar object, nothing to
be scared of yet.
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Doctor: (Smiling)
Alright, Alex, how are we feeling today? Ready for your checkup?

Alex: (Curious)
Uh-huh! What’s that? (Points to the needle on the tray)

Doctor:
Oh, this? It’s just a little needle we use to help keep you healthy. Nothing to worry
about.

Parent 1: (Reassuringly)
See, Alex? It’s just part of the doctor’s tools.

Alex: (Neutral)
Okay…

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Narrator:
At this point, Alex doesn’t feel any fear. The needle is just a neutral object—nothing
scary about it yet.
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Act 2: During Conditioning

Nurse: (Gently)
Now, Alex, I’m going to give you a quick shot, okay? It might pinch a little, but it’ll
be over very fast.

Alex: (Worried, but calm)

Okay…

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Narrator:
But things are about to change. The moment the nurse gives the shot, Alex feels a
sharp pain.
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[The nurse administers the shot. Alex suddenly feels the pain of the needle.]

Alex: (Crying loudly)

Ouch! That hurts! (Instinctively pulls away)

Parent 1: (Hugging Alex)

I know, sweetie. It’s all done now. You’re so brave!

Doctor: (Smoothing it over)

The worst part is over, Alex. No more needles today.

Alex: (Sniffling)
I don’t like needles…

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Narrator:
Now, Alex has felt the pain of the shot. The needle is no longer just a neutral
object—it’s something that Alex now links with discomfort and fear.
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Act 3: After Conditioning

[On the next visit, Alex walks into the doctor’s office and immediately sees the
needle on the tray.]

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Narrator:
Weeks later, during another check-up, Alex sees the needle again. But this time,
something is different.
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Alex: (Eyes widen, visibly nervous)

No! Not the needle! I don’t want the needle! (Starts crying)

Parent 1: (Surprised)
Oh no, Alex, we haven’t even started yet! It’s okay…

Nurse: (Reassuringly)
We’re not giving the shot just yet, Alex. Don’t worry.

Alex: (Crying)
No! Needles hurt! I don’t want it!

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Narrator:
Although Alex hasn’t been given a shot yet, just seeing the needle now triggers the
same fear as if the pain is coming again. The needle has become a sign of danger
in Alex’s mind.
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Act 4: Understanding the Fear

Doctor: (Speaking with Parent 1)

It looks like Alex is now connecting the sight of the needle with the pain they felt
before. Even though the needle hasn’t caused any pain yet, Alex remembers how it
felt last time and starts feeling afraid.

Parent 1: (Nods)
So, Alex is scared of the needle because they’ve had a painful experience with it
before?

Doctor:
Exactly. Alex’s brain has learned to associate the needle with that pain, so now
just seeing it makes them anxious. This is pretty common with kids after a few
shots. We can help by slowly making Alex feel more comfortable around needles,
one step at a time.

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Narrator:
It’s a common reaction. After a few painful experiences, it doesn’t take much to
bring back that fear—even before anything painful happens.
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[End Scene]

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 OPERANT CONDITIONING
Character 1: Narrator
Character 2: Manager
Character 3: Alex ( Salesperson )
Character 4: HR Officer
Character 5: Team Leader

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Narrator (soft, conversational tone):
In the heart of a busy skincare company, the tension is palpable. Alex, a
salesperson, has struggled to meet their sales quota for a week. What happens
next is a story of motivation and consequences, told through the lens of operant
conditioning. Let's see how this plays out
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(The camera zooms in on Alex, sitting anxiously across from the Manager. The
office is neat, but there's a slight sense of tension in the air.)

Manager (calm but firm):

Alex, I’ve been looking at your numbers lately. For the past week, you haven’t met
your sales targets. I know it’s been challenging, but we need to address this now
before it affects the team. I’ve been thinking about a few strategies to help get you
back on track.

(Alex shifts nervously in their seat, nodding slowly.)

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Narrator (voice-over, reflective):
The Manager decides to use positive punishment, a strategy where something is
added to decrease unwanted behavior. Watch how it unfolds.
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Manager (sits back, speaking slowly):

Starting next week, we’re going to need you to increase your live shopping
sessions. You’ll be spending more time online with customers, showcasing our
products. It’s important we reach out to as many people as possible.

(Alex’s eyes widen slightly, a bit overwhelmed.

Alex (softly):
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More live sessions? I guess that makes sense. It’s just… I’m already doing a lot of
them.

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Narrator (voice-over, gently explanatory):
Here, the Manager adds more live shopping time—positive punishment—to
motivate Alex to improve their sales. Let’s see what happens next.
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Manager (firm but empathetic):

I understand it’s a lot. But we’re serious about improving performance. And, as a
consequence of the low numbers, we’ll also have to take action in other areas.

(Alex shifts in their seat, feeling the weight of the conversation.)

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Narrator (voice-over, slightly dramatic):
The Manager moves on to negative punishment, a strategy that removes
something pleasant to decrease undesirable behavior.
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HR Officer (speaking professionally, but with a hint of sympathy):

Alex, I hate to say this, but we’re going to need to revoke three days of your annual
leave next month. And, starting next week, your break time will be shortened as
well.

(Alex stares at the table, clearly disappointed.)

Alex (quietly, almost to themselves):

I didn’t expect that... but I guess I need to accept it.

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Narrator (voice-over, compassionately):
It’s never easy to lose something you value. Negative punishment—removing the
leave and reducing break time—serves as a wake-up call for Alex. But the team
doesn’t stop there.
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Team Leader (trying to lift the mood, smiling):

Now for some better news! We believe in rewarding hard work, Alex. If you meet
your targets for the next two weeks, there’s a bonus waiting for you. Plus, we’ve

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got a special holiday package planned for our top performers. Imagine yourself
relaxing on a beach somewhere after a job well done!

(Alex’s face brightens slightly, a glimmer of hope returning.)

Alex (smiling faintly):

A holiday package? That definitely sounds like something to aim for.

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Narrator (voice-over, upbeat):
This is positive reinforcement in action—offering rewards to increase the
likelihood of achieving the desired behavior. Alex is starting to see a light at the
end of the tunnel.
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HR Officer (leaning forward, softer tone):

And to make things easier, we’ve made some changes to your workspace. You’ll
get a new, more comfortable chair, a livelier atmosphere, and we’re upgrading
your microphone for live shopping. It should help make the process a bit more
enjoyable.

(Alex visibly relaxes, a small smile creeping onto their face.)

Alex (relieved):
Wow, thank you. That’ll definitely make a difference. I’ve been struggling with the
old mic, and honestly, a fresh environment might just be what I need.

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Narrator (voice-over, warm and reflective):
By removing discomfort and improving the environment, the team applies negative
reinforcement—taking away what’s unpleasant to encourage Alex’s performance.
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Manager (standing up, with a friendly yet serious look):

Alex, we’re all rooting for you. We know you can do this. Let’s work together and
get those numbers up.

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Narrator (voice-over, wrapping up, as the camera zooms out):
And so, with the combination of punishment and reinforcement, Alex sets out on
the path to improvement. In the world of operant conditioning, it’s all about
balancing consequences—both good and bad—to shape behavior.

Only time will tell if Alex rises to the challenge, but with the right support and
motivation, anything is possible.
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(The scene fades out as Alex walks out of the office, determined.)

[ The End ]