Ch. 9

Question 1

2 methods for identifying reinforcers

Answer 1

1) reinforcer surveys
2) stimulus preference assessments

Question 2

4 dimensions of a reinforcer that affect efficacy

Answer 2

1) contingency
2) size
3) quality
4) immediacy

Question 3

habits

Answer 3

behaviors that occur in specific settings, even when our motivation to obtain the reinforcer is low

-operant behaviors that have shifted from consequence/motivational control to antecedent-stimulus control

Question 4

2 ways to interpret motivation

Answer 4

1) motivation is nothing more than a concise (one-word) description of behavior

-someone who has performed well for weeks, months, or years
-has utility, allows us to make predictions of behavior
(i.e.” motivated” student)

2) motivation is inherent

-more common, less useful, mental essence in the individual, explaining why they behave the way they do

Question 5

mentalistic explanation of behavior

Answer 5

explanations put cause of behavior in individual’s vaguely defined mind

-if the only evidence for the cause (motivation) is effect (performance), then the explanation is circular
-variables can’t be turned ON or OFF

Question 6

motivating operation (MO)

Answer 6

environmental and/or biological event that:
1) temporarily alters value of a reinforcer
2) increases/decreases probability of behaviors yielding that reinforcer
-only if individual learned response-reinforcer contingency

-observable event, can be objectively measured by behavioral or biological scientists (not a mental essence)

Question 7

2 types of MO

Answer 7

1) establishing operation (EO)
2) abolishing operation (AO)

Question 8

establishing operation (EO)

Answer 8

environmental and/or biological event that:
1) temporarily increases value of specific reinforcer
2) increases behaviors that yield that reinforcer

-doesn’t always involve restriction, deprivation, and primary reinforcers

Question 9

abolishing operation (AO)

Answer 9

environmental and/or biological event that:
1) temporarily decreases value of specific reinforcer
2) decreases probability of behaviors yielding that reinforcer

Question 10

response deprivation

Answer 10

EO depriving individual of operant behavior (and reinforcer that maintains it)

1) increases efficacy of access to behavior
2) increases behaviors that allow access to that behavior/reinforcer