Chapter 14

Question 1

Define escape conditioning, and describe how it was used with Joanne.

Answer 1

Escape conditioning states that the removal of certain stimuli (called aversive stimuli) immediately after the occurrence of behaviour will increase the likelihood of that behaviour. It was used with Joanne when the removal of the loud tone following the response of showing good posture was an escape procedure that increased the probability that she would show good posture as escape response in the presence of the tone.

Question 2

In what two procedural ways is negative reinforcement different from positive reinforcement?

Answer 2

1. Negative reinforcement involves the removal of an aversive stimulus following certain behaviour, whereas positive reinforcement involves presenting a desirable stimulus following certain behaviour.
2. Negative reinforcement requires an undesirable behaviour to cease, and a desirable (escape) response to occur, whereas positive reinforcement simply occurs positive behaviour to occur.

Question 3

Give another name for warning stimulus.

Answer 3

Also called conditioned aversive stimulus.

Question 4

What is the name of the type of avoidance conditioning that involves a warning stimulus?

Answer 4

It is called, discriminated avoidance conditioning.

Question 5

What are two procedural differences between escape conditioning and avoidance conditioning?

Answer 5

1. An escape response removes the aversive stimulus that has already been presented.
2. An avoidance response prevents an aversive stimulus occurring at all

Question 6

Explain with an example of your own why an individual might unknowingly positively reinforce the undesirable behaviour of another individual.

Answer 6

If a teenager comes home late and instead of saying something a parent chooses to say nothing so the teen believes it’s okay to stay out