Chapter 12 - Reinforcer Effectiveness

Question 1

Reinforcers are events that cause an increase in the rate of a behavior that they follow.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

The same event may be a reinforcer when it is delivered in one way but not in another.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

An event is considered effective if it increases the rate of behavior.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

4 main factors that cause events to be more effective…

Answer 4

1. You must deliver an event CONTINGENT on the behaviors. This means delivering it only when the desired behavior occurs.
2. You must deliver it IMMEDIATELY after the behavior has occurred.
3. You must ensure that the SIZE (or AMOUNT) of the event is worthwhile.
4. You must ensure that the person is DEPRIVED of an event. That means you use a reinforcer that the person hasn’t had too much of.

Question 5

Using the reinforcement strategy to solve human problems is to use the …

Answer 5

Principles of Reinforcer Effectiveness

Question 6

The more consistently the reinforcer is delivered ONLY for the desired behavior, the more EFFECTIVE the reinforcer.

Answer 6

Principles of Contingency

• You must never deliver a reinforcer for an undesired behavior.

Question 7

You can deliver the reinforcer for several desired behaviors.

Answer 7

True

Question 8

___ ________ __ ________ warns you to take care that you deliver the EVENT only when the desired behavior occurs.

• make sure not to deliver it for undesirable responses like stealing, lying or doing only part of the job.

Answer 8

The Principle of Contingency

Question 9

Noncontingent reinforcement can weaken the effect of a reinforcer based on lack of contingency.

Answer 9

True.

Question 10

The more immediate the delivery of the reinforcer after the behavior, the more effective the reinforcer.k

Answer 10

Principle of Immediacy

Question 11

Two exceptions to the Principle of Immediacy…

Answer 11

1. a delayed reinforcer can be effective if you immediately signal the later reinforcement. (This is not a true exception because, the signal itself becomes the reinforcer)
2. a delayed reinforcer can be effective if the person can describe the relation between the behavior and delayed reinforcer.

Question 12

If the example does not clearly state the relation, then assume that the principle of immediacy holds true.

Answer 12

Yes.

Question 13

The amount of the event is an important determinant of the event’s effectiveness.

The more worthwhile the AMOUNT of a reinforcer, the more EFFECTIVE the reinforcer.

the more you deliver at one time, the more effect it will have.

Answer 13

The Principle of Size

Question 14

The optimum amount will vary depending on such factors as the…

Answer 14

1. difficulty of the behavior
2. the amount of behavior required
3. competing opportunities for reinforcement.

Question 15

The frequency with which the person has received a particular reinforcer in the recent past.

A person is more deprived the less often they have received the event.

Answer 15

Deprivation

Question 16

The opposite of deprivation.

If you have just had an event or several events.

Answer 16

Satiation

Question 17

Several factors to take into account when selecting reinforcers…

Answer 17

Convenient to diepense
inexpensive
should not generate behaviors
not simultaneously available from another source