Ch. 3

Question 1

What is the Law of Effect?

Answer 1

strength of behavior depends on the effects it has on the environment.

Behavior is a function of its consequences

Question 2

ABC

Answer 2

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

Question 3

E.L. Thorndike

Answer 3

created law of effect; environmental effects shape behavior.
cat puzzle box

Question 4

What are the two effects of consequences?

Answer 4

a. strengthen behavior (reinforcement)

b. weaken behavior (punishment)

Question 5

Reinforcement

Answer 5

an increase in strength of a behavior due to its consequences

*REINFORCEMENT SHAPES BEHAVIOR, NOT PEOPLE

Question 6

Reinforcer

Answer 6

an event that, when dependent on (contingency) on a behavior, increases or maintains the frequency of that behavior p. 99

not always rewards

Question 7

Positive reinforcer (add sign, something is being given)

Answer 7

a reinforcing event in which something is added following a behavior

Question 8

Negative reinforcer (minus sign, something is being taken away)

Answer 8

a reinforcing event in which something is removed following a behavior

Question 9

Negative reinforcement requires the use of what?

Answer 9

aversies - events the person will avoid or escape from

escape-avoidance learning

Question 10

Primary reinforcers

Answer 10

reinforcers that are not dependent on their association with other reinforcers

ex. food, water, sex

Much more susceptible to satiation

Ex. haven’t eaten all day, food is the ticket, but not all the time.

Question 11

Secondary reinforcers

Answer 11

reinforcers that are dependent on their association with other reinforcers
also called conditioned reinforcers: resembles Pavlovian conditioning (neutral events become reinforcing)

learning, conditioned,

ex. money

less susceptible to satiation

ex. if we have been complimented many times, it will never get old .

Question 12

Satiation

Answer 12

when a reinforcer loses its ability to be effective (due to changes in environmental value)

secondary reinforcers satiate more slowly than primary reinforcers

Question 13

Contrived reinforcers

Answer 13

events provided by someone in order to modify behavior; not naturally; common maipulation
ex. cleaning room, naturally feels good
CONTRIVED, get more time to watch TV
instrumental or therapeutic program

Question 14

Natural reinforcers

Answer 14

events that spontaneously follow from a behavior
occur as a result of the person interacting with his own environment
ex. cleaning room, naturally feel better

Question 15

What are the problems with natural reinforcers?

Answer 15

1. weak or rare
   ex. getting the right answer to a math problem
2. dangerous
   ex. driving, training to be a nuse

Do not rely on natural reinforcers TOO much

Question 16

Rules of Reinforcement

Answer 16

1. define the target behavior (decide what behavior is being reinforced)
2. Select appropriate reinforcers
3. Make reinforcement immediate and certain
4. Monitor results

Question 17

Bootleg reinforcement

Answer 17

Reinforcement that is not part of, and tends to undermine, an intervention OR natural reinforcement of inappropriate behavior

Question 18

Behavioral Contrast

Answer 18

the tendency for a reinforced behavior to occur less often in situations in which it has not been reinforced.

Question 19

Three things I learned about chapter 4

Answer 19

1. Gestural prompts: involve facial expressions
2. verbal prompts: spoken or written words
3. fading: gradually reducing the strength of a prompt.