Chapter 2

Question 1

Behavior Modification

Answer 1

The systematic application of the principles of operant conditioning such as positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment, and extinction, for the expressed purpose of strengthening or weakening behavior.

Question 2

Operant Conditioning

Answer 2

A learning principle in which environmental contingencies or more specifically, discriminative stimuli (antecedents) influencing its consequences are controlled and manipulated to change behavior.

Question 3

Respondent Behaviors

Answer 3

Controlled by the autonomic nervous system and the involuntary muscles. Elicited in response to the presenting of a stimulus. Occur only after a stimulus appears. EX: Eye blinking, heartbeat…

Question 4

Operant Behaviors

Answer 4

Controlled by the central nervous system and the voluntary muscles. Operants usually occur first and are later modified (changed) or maintained (kept the same) by the presentation of a stimulus. Learned behavior. EX: Walking, talking…

Question 5

Consequent Stimulus

Answer 5

Stimulus occurs after the operant.

Question 6

Antecedent Stimulus

Answer 6

Consequent stimulus that strengthens the operant that they follow.

Question 7

Reinforcement

Answer 7

The strengthening of an operant. There are 2 kinds of reinforcement positive and negative.

Question 8

Positive Reinforcement (R+)

Answer 8

The strengthening of an operant by immediately following it with a designated reward or the presentation of something a person likes.

Question 9

Negative Reinforcement (R-)

Answer 9

The strengthening of an operant by immediately following it with the removal or avoidance of something the person doesn’t like.

Question 10

Extinction

Answer 10

The process of withholding a known positive reinforcer. Extinction hasn’t occurred unless the withholding of the known positive reinforcer results in the weakening and subsequent elimination of the operant. Can be deliberately used to eliminate an undesired behavior.

Question 11

Punishers

Answer 11

Consequent stimulus that serves to weaken behavior. Consequent stimulus is not a punisher unless it is aversive enough to weaken the behavior it follows.

Question 12

Punishment

Answer 12

The weakening of an operant by following it with an aversive consequent stimulus.

Question 13

Reciprocal Relationships

Answer 13

When you attempt to condition another persons behavior through R+,R-, punishment, or extinction, the result of that attempt may serve to condition your behavior as well.