Question

read this sentence from the passage.
when you make a commitment to another person, you establish what psychologists call a contingency of reinforcement; you have automatically arranged for a reward if you comply and a punishment if you do not.
what does the sentence above tell readers about making a commitment?
○ a commitment usually gives you a reward.
○ a commitment forces you to depend on a friend.
○ a commitment changes your behavior immediately.
○ a commitment makes you responsible to someone else.

Explanation:

• Analyze Option A: The sentence says there's a reward if you comply and punishment if you don't, not that a commitment "usually" gives a reward. So A is incorrect.
• Analyze Option B: The sentence doesn't mention depending on a friend. It's about commitment to another person, not dependence. So B is incorrect.
• Analyze Option C: The sentence doesn't say a commitment changes behavior immediately. It's about reinforcement (reward/punishment) for compliance/non - compliance, not immediate behavior change. So C is incorrect.
• Analyze Option D: When you make a commitment to another person, the reinforcement contingency (reward for compliance, punishment for non - compliance) means you are accountable (responsible) to that other person because your actions (complying or not) have consequences related to them. So D matches the meaning of the sentence.

Answer:

D. A commitment makes you responsible to someone else.