Ch. 5

Question 1

operant (instrumental) behavior

Answer 1

generic class of responses influenced by antecedents, with each response in the class producing the same consequence to acquire reinforcer

Question 2

antecedent

Answer 2

observable stimulus that’s present before the behavior occurs

Question 3

consequence

Answer 3

observable stimulus change that happens after behavior occurs

Question 4

two-term (response-consequence) contingency

Answer 4

IF -> THEN relation between operant behavior and consequence

Question 5

noncontingent response

Answer 5

occurs after a response, but not because the response caused it to occur

Question 6

superstitious behavior

Answer 6

occurs when individual behaves as though a response-consequence contingency exists when, in fact, the relation between response and consequence is noncontingent

Question 7

2 categories of consequences that influence behavior

Answer 7

1) reinforcers
-increase future probability of behavior above baseline (no reinforcer level)

2) punishers
-decrease future probability of behavior below pre-punishment level

Question 8

reinforcer

Answer 8

consequence that increases behavior above its baseline level

Question 9

reinforcement

Answer 9

process whereby a reinforcer increases operant behavior above its baseline level

Question 10

rewards

Answer 10

beneficial consequences that we think will function as reinforcers, but we don’t know yet if they will

Question 11

Edward L. Thorndike

Answer 11

first scientist to discover reinforcement (demonstrate that reinforcers increase the probability of behavior)

-cats in puzzle box, speed of pressing the treadle increase w/ successive reinforcers

-effect replicated in other cats

Question 12

exploration

Answer 12

when individuals are exposed to new contingencies of reinforcement, they tend to respond more variably (trial-and-error)