B-4 Positive and Negative Reinforcement Contingencies

Question 1

Law of Effect

Answer 1

In any given situation, the probability of a behavior occurring is a function of the consequences that the behavior has had in that situation in the past.

Ex: A child saying ‘thank you’ when given a gift is a function of the consequences that child has received for that behavior in the past (punished/prompted)

Question 2

Matching Law

Answer 2

The rate of responding/behavior occurring is directly proportional to its rate of reinforcement compared to alternatives.

Question 3

Reinforcement

Answer 3

A consequence that increases the likelihood of that behavior occurring in the future.

It is reinforcement Only if it Increases a behavior

Question 4

Reinforcer

Answer 4

A stimulus or event or change in environment that follows a behavior which increases or maintains the rate of behavior

Ex: Paycheck maintains the behavior of working

Question 5

Positive Reinforcement

Answer 5

Following a behavior (response), a consequence (added stimulus) that increases the likelihood of that behavior occurring in the future.

SR+

Question 6

Negative Reinforcement

Answer 6

Following a behavior (response), a consequence (removed stimulus) that increases the likelihood of that behavior occurring in the future

Negative reinforcement: Relief

SR–

Ex: Loud sound—Put in earplug—Sound removed—increase use of earplug in the future if there is loud sounds

Question 7

Hierarchy of Reinforcement

Answer 7

1. Edible (life sustaining)
2. Item (preferred)
3. Activity (preferred)
4. Tokens
5. Physical Social (social practice paired with touch)
6. Verbal Social (verbal praises)

Question 8

Contrived Reinforcement

Answer 8

When reinforcement procedures have been contrived or planned intentionally in order to change someone’s behavior

Ex: teacher decides to give each child a chocolate who volunteers a response—>Rate of volunteering increases

Question 9

Natural reinforcement

Answer 9

When reinforcement is not planned intentionally; when reinforcement is spontaneous and not specifically designed to modify behavior

Ex: it’s dark and cannot see–flip on the light switch–light comes on–in future when its dark, more likely to turn on the light switch