CH. 5

Question 1

Law of Effect

Answer 1

Behavior is a function of its consequences. (In class- behavior is determined by its consequences)

Question 1

Operant conditioning (learning)

Answer 1

Any procedure or experience in which a behavior becomes stronger or weaker (e.g. more or less likely to occur) depending on its consequences

Question 2

Reinforcement

Answer 2

An increase in the strength of a behavior due to its consequences.

Question 3

Three characteristics to qualify as reinforcement

Answer 3

1. a behavior must have a consequence
2. the behavior must increase in strength (e.g., occur more often)
3. the increase in strength must be the result of the consequence.

Question 4

Positive reinforcement

Answer 4

the consequence is added (or presented)

Question 4

Behavioral momentum

Answer 4

A term used to refer to the strength of a reinforced behavior

Question 5

Negative Reinforcement

Answer 5

the consequence is subtracted (or withdrawn/removed)

Question 6

Conditioned (secondary) reinforcement

Answer 6

reinforcers dependent on learning experiences

Question 7

Unconditioned (primary) reinforcement

Answer 7

reinforcers not dependent on learning experiences

Question 8

Generalized conditioned reinforcement

Answer 8

reinforcers that have been paired with many different kinds of reinforcers

Question 9

Natural Reinforcers

Answer 9

events that follow spontaneously from a behavior

Question 10

Contrived reinforcers

Answer 10

events that are provided by someone for the purpose of modifying behavior

Question 11

Automatic reinforcers

Answer 11

reinforcing events are the automatic consequence of an action

Question 12

Contingency

Answer 12

the degree or correlation between a behavior and its consequence

Question 13

Temporal contiguity

Answer 13

the gap in time between a behavior and its reinforccing consequence

Question 14

Motivating operations

Answer 14

anything that changes the effectiveness of a consequence

Question 15

Reward pathway/dopamine

Answer 15

The reward center of the brain, in particular, an area in the septal region running from the middle of the brain to the frontal cortex where dopamine is the most important neurotransmitter

Question 16

Three major theories of positive reinforcement

Answer 16

1. Hull’s drive reduction theory
2. Premack’s relative value theory
3. Response deprevation theory

Question 17

Premack’s relative value theory

Answer 17

considers reinforcers to be behaviors rather than stimuli and that attribute s a reinforcer’s effectiveness to its probability to other behaviors.

Question 18

Premack principle

Answer 18

high-probability behavior reinforces low-probability behavior.

Question 19

Response deprivation theory

Answer 19

Behavior becomes reinforcing when the individual is prevented from engaging in the behavior at its normal frequency.