16. Skinner (Behavioural Analysis) Flashcards
Type of behaviour that can be studied by a scientist
overt behaviour
Human behavior shaped by three forces
(1) individual’s personal history of reinforcement,
(2) natural selection, and
(3) evolution of cultural practices.
Operant conditioning
process of changing behavior in which reinforcement (or punishment) is contingent on the occurrence of a particular behavior
positive reinforcer
any event that, when added to a situation, increases the probability that a given behavior will occur
negative reinforcer
any aversive stimulus that, when removed from the environment, increases the probability of a given behavior
four principal intermittent schedules of reinforcement
fixed ratio, variable-ratio, fixed-interval, and variable-interval.
Social control is achieved through
(1) operant conditioning, (2) describing the contingencies of reinforcement, (3) depriving or satiating a person, or (4) physically restraining an individual
Law of effect
learning takes place mostly because of effects that follow a response
Self Control is achieved through
(i) using physical aid such as tools, financial resources to alter environment,
(ii) changing their environment to increase probability of desired behaviour,
(iii) arranging environment to escape an aversive stimulus only by producing proper response,
(iv) taking drugs, or
(v) doing something else to avoid behaving in undesirable fashion
Result of excessive social control and self control
inappropriate behaviours –> unhealthy personality
Strategies to Counteract Social Control
(i) Revolting
(ii) Escaping
(iii) Passive resistance
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory
explains mutual influence between individual’s temperament and responses to conditioning - development and maintenance of certain features of personality
