Chapter 4 Flashcards
What is a baseline?
Measure of behaviour in the absence of a treatment program
What is a positive reinforcer?
Positive reinforcer - an event that, when presented immediately following a behaviour, causes the behaviour to increase in frequency
What is the principle of positive reinforcement?
If someone in a given situation does something that is followed immediately by a positive reinforcer, then that person is more likely to do the same thing the next time he or she encounters a similar situation
What is operant behaviour? Give an example, and indicate how the example fits the definition of operant behaviour
- Behaviors that operate on the environment to generate consequences and are in turn influenced by those consequences.
- For example, the students in a third grade class have been given an assignment to complete. Suzy, who is often quite disruptive, sits quietly at her desk and starts working on the assignment. The immediate consequence is that the teacher walks over to Suzy and gives her a thumbs-up. The long- term effect would be that in the future, Suzy is more likely to work on the assignments given to her in class.
How are positive and negative reinforcement similar, and how are they different?
Similar in that both increase behaviours
Different as indicated by the words, positive and negative in that positive reinforcement increases a response because of the presentation of a positive stimulus, whereas negative reinforcement increases a response by the removal or taking away of a negative (or aversive) stimulus
Why is it necessary to be specific when selecting a behaviour for a reinforcement program?
By being specific, you (a) help to ensure the reliability of detecting instances of the behaviour and changes in its frequency, which is the measure by which one judges reinforcer effectiveness and (b) increase the likelihood that the reinforcement program will be applied consistently
Using the definition of positive reinforcer, how might you conduct a test to determine if the social attention of a particular adult is or is not reinforcing for a withdrawn child?
- You would first chose a behavior, for example talks to her class mates. We would establish a baseline and see how many times she talks to her class mates. Then we would add the reinforcer, praise from an adult. Then we would count and see if by adding the praise from an adult she talked to her class mates more frequently. If she does then we could say that attention from adults is a positive reinforcer.
What do behaviour modifiers mean by the term deprivation? Give an example
Deprivation - indicate the time during which an individual does not experience the reinforcer
A student is rewarded for good behaviour once a week rather than every day
What do behaviour modifiers mean by the term satiation? Give an example
Satiation - refers to that condition in which the individual has experienced the reinforcer to such an extent that it is no longer reinforcing
Example: sweets will usually not be reinforcing if a child has just eaten a large bag of candy
Distinguish between the direct- and indirect-acting effects of reinforcement
Direct-acting effects of positive reinforcement is the increased frequency of a response because of its immediate reinforcing consequences
Indirect-acting effects of positive reinforcement is the strengthening of a response that is followed by a reinforcer even though the reinforcer is delayed
If you can’t present a reinforcer immediately following the desired behaviour, then provide instructions concerning the delay of reinforcement
Give an example of contingent reinforcement that is not in this chapter
A parent tells a child that if they finish all their vegetables that they will be allowed to eat dessert
What is adventitious reinforcement? What is a superstitious behaviour? Give an example of each that are not in this chapter
Adventitious reinforcement - behaviour that is “accidently” followed by a reinforcer may be increased even if it did not actually produce the reinforcer
Superstitious behaviour - behaviour that is increased by adventitious reinforcement
Example: a student uses a certain pencil to fill out their exam bubble sheet because in the past, they had received an A+ in the class while using it
What do we mean by the natural environment? By natural reinforcers? By programmed reinforcers?
Natural environment - a setting in which an individual carries out normal, everyday functions
Natural reinforcers - reinforcers that follow behaviour in the course of everyday living
Programmed reinforcers - reinforcers that are arranged systematically by psychologists, teachers, and others in behaviour modification programs
Ideally, what four qualities should a reinforcer have (beside the necessary quality of functioning as a reinforcer)? (see p. 42)
Are readily available
Can be presented immediately following the desired behaviour
Can be used over and over again without causing rapid satiation
Do not require a great deal of time to consume
