Ch 4 Test: Reinforcement Flashcards
A behavior occurs and is immediately followed by a consequence that results in the increased likelihood of the behavior occurring in the future. This process is called:
reinforcement
Andy answers a question in class, and is praised by the teacher. As a result, Andy is more likely to answer questions in class. Andy’s behavior of answering questions in class is referred to as ____________ behavior.
operant
Mary takes out the garbage and, as a result, her parents let her watch her favorite television show. Mary is then more likely to take out the garbage when asked. Being able to watch her favorite television show is a ____________ for her behavior of taking out the garbage.
reinforcer
Which of the following processes strengthen a behavior? a) positive reinforcement b) punishment c) negative reinforcement d) A and C
d
Tommy pets a strange dog and is immediately bitten. In behavior modification, getting bitten is referred to as the ______________ for the behavior of petting the dog.
consequence
Barry throws the football into the stands after scoring a touchdown, and is cheered by the fans. As a result, Barry is more likely to throw the ball into the stands whenever he scores a touchdown. This is an example of:
positive reinforcement
Timmy swears whenever his mom makes broccoli for dinner. Timmy’s mom always sends him to his room without dinner when he swears. As a result, Timmy is more likely to swear when his mom makes broccoli. This is an example of:
negative reinforcement
An object or event that can be detected by the senses is referred to as a:
stimulus
The stimulus presented following the behavior in positive reinforcement is called:
a positive reinforcer
The stimulus removed or avoided following the behavior in negative reinforcement is referred to as the ___________ stimulus.
aversive
In which of the following processes is the behavior more likely to occur in the future? a) positive reinforcement b) positive punishment c) negative punishment d) A and C
a
In behavior modification, reinforcement is defined by its effect on behavior. This is referred to as:
a functional definition
Which of the following is NOT a question to ask when trying to decide whether a situation represents positive or negative reinforcement? a) what is the behavior? b) did the stimulus appear to be pleasant? c) was the stimulus added or removed? d) was the behavior more likely to occur?
b
On weekends, Laura comes home on time so that she is not grounded by her parents. Coming home on time in order to avoid being grounded is an example of:
avoidance behavior
Andrew wants to play baseball with his friends. Before Andrew can play, his parents tell him that he has to clean his room, which he hates to do. Requiring Andrew to clean his room before he can play baseball with his friends is an example of:
the Premack Principle
Whenever Matt makes a 3 point shot, his basketball coach makes him run one less lap in practice. As a result Matt is more likely to hit 3 point shots. This is an example of:
negative reinforcement
Which of the following is NOT an example of an unconditioned reinforcer? a) food b) water c) money d) escape from extreme heat
c
Money is an example of a(n): a) conditioned reinforcer b) conditioned stimulus c) unconditioned reinforcer d) unconditioned stimulus
a
Which of the following influences the effectiveness of reinforcement? a) immediacy b) contingency c) establishing operations d) all of these
d
Whenever Tony puts money into a pop machine, he gets a can of pop. Tony never gets pop out of the machine when he does not put money in. This is an example of __________ existing between putting money in the machine and getting pop out.
a contingency
Beth has been hiking in the desert all day and, as a result, is dying for a glass of water. The increase in the reinforcing value of water due to hiking in the desert is referred to as:
deprivation
John just ate a big Thanksgiving dinner. When John is offered a piece of his favorite pie he declines. The decrease in the reinforcing value of pie for John is an example of:
satiation
Which of the following are factors that influence the effectiveness of reinforcement? a) different reinforcers work for different people b) larger reinforcers are generally more effective c) A and B d) none of the above
c
Nicole’s teacher praises her for every math problem that she completes. This is an example of a(n) _____________ reinforcement schedule.
continuous
Tim is just learning to read. Which reinforcement schedule would be the most effective for him?
continuous
An intermittent schedule of reinforcement is most effective for _____________ a behavior.
maintaining
Tom’s supervisor tells him that for every 10 cars Tom sells he will get a $500 bonus. This is an example of a _______________ reinforcement schedule.
fixed ratio
A telemarketer has to make a certain number of calls before a sale is made. However, the telemarketer does not know the exact number of calls that will be required in order to make a sale. This is an example of a _________ schedule of reinforcement:
variable ratio
In a ____________ reinforcement schedule, the reinforcer is delivered for the first response following an average of X amount of time.
variable interval
Which schedule of reinforcement produces high, steady rates of responding with very little interruption after delivery of the reinforcer?
variable ratio
All the reinforcement schedules that are in effect for a person’s behavior at one time are referred to as ______________ schedules of reinforcement.
concurrent
__________ is the researcher who first demonstrated the Law of Effect.
Thorndike
In Skinner’s experiments, a rat pressed a lever and received food. This process strengthened lever pressing. The food is a(n) __________. The lever pressing is a(n)__________. The process is called ______________.
reinforcer, behavior/operant behavior, reinforcement
A(n) _________ is a behavior strengthened through the process of reinforcement.
operant
The consequence that strengthens an operant behavior is a(n) __________.
reinforcer
In the Premack principle, the opportunity to engage in a(n) ____________ is used as a reinforcer for a low probability behavior.
high probability behavior
A(n) _________________ increases the potency of a reinforcer.
establishing
A(n) _________________ increases the potency of a reinforcer.
continuous reinforcement
In _________________ reinforcement, a stimulus is removed following the behavior to strengthen the behavior.
negative
In _________________ reinforcement, a stimulus is presented following the behavior to strengthen the behavior.
positive
When a person has just had a large amount of a reinforcer, will the reinforcer be more or less effective at that time? What is this process called?
less satiated
When a person has not experienced a reinforcer for a long time, will the reinforcer be more or less effective? What is this process called?
more deprivation
A schedule of reinforcement in which the reinforcer is delivered after X number of responses is __________________.
fixed ratio
A schedule of reinforcement in which the reinforcer is delivered for the first response occurring after X amount of time is _______________________.
fixed interval
A schedule of reinforcement in which the reinforcer is delivered for the first response occurring after X amount of time on the average is _______________________.
variable interval
A schedule of reinforcement in which the reinforcer is delivered after X number of responses on the average is __________________.
variable ratio
T or F
A reinforcer works best when it follows the behavior immediately.
T
T or F
Negative reinforcement decreases a behavior in the future.
F
T or F
An establishing operation is an event that makes a reinforcer more potent at a particular time.
T
T or F
A conditioned reinforcer is a reinforcer that is effective without any prior learning or conditioning.
F
T or F
An unconditioned reinforcer is a reinforcer that is effective without any prior learning or conditioning.
T
T or F
If an aversive stimulus is removed following the behavior, the behavior is less likely to occur in the future.
F
T or F
If a positive reinforcer is delivered following the behavior, the behavior is more likely to occur in the future.
T
T or F
In a Fixed Interval schedule, a reinforcer is delivered after a period of time has elapsed.
F
T or F
In a Fixed Ratio schedule, a reinforcer is delivered after X number of responses on the average.
F
T or F
In negative reinforcement, an aversive stimulus is removed following the behavior and the behavior is more likely to occur in the future.
T
Define reinforcement
a process in which a behavior is strengthened by the immediate consequences that reliably follows its occurrence.
In positive reinforcement, what happens immediately following the occurrence of the behavior?
It is followed by the addition of a stimulus or an increase in intensity of a stimulus which results in the strengthening of the behavior.
In negative reinforcement, what happens immediately following the occurrence of the behavior?
It is followed by the removal of a stimulus or a decrease in the intensity of a stimulus which results in the strengthening of a behavior.
What is an aversive stimulus?
In negative reinforcement, the stimulus that is removed or avoided following the behavior is called an aversive stimulus.
How does escape behavior differ from avoidance behavior?
In escape behavior, the occurrence of the behavior results in the termination of an aversive stimulus that was already present when the behavior occurred.
In avoidance behavior, the occurrence of the behavior prevents the presentation of an aversive stimulus
What are a couple examples of positive unconditioned reinforcers?
food, water, and sexual stimulation
What are a couple examples of negative unconditioned reinforcers?
pain, cold, heat, or discomforting or aversive stimulation
What are three examples of generalized conditioned reinforcers?
- parent’s attention
- money
- grades
Identify the five factors that influence the effectiveness of reinforcement.
- immediacy,
- consistency of the consequence,
- motivating operations,
- individual differences, and
- magnitude of the reinforcer
