Chapter 4: Behavioural Principles: Respondent and Operant Conditioning Flashcards
Define unconditioned reflex. Give two examples of an unconditioned reflex.
An unconditioned reflex is a stimulus-response sequence in which a stimulus elicits a response without prior learning conditioning. For instance, you wake up in the morning, look out on a bright day and your pupils constrict. The bright light was a stimulus, the pupil constriction was a response to the stimulus. The light and pupil constriction together formed an unconditioned reflex. Another example is a sudden loss of support (falling) elicits increased heart rate and body stiffening.
Define conditioned reflex, and describe the example of a conditioned reflex illustrated in the case of Susan, the figure skater at the beginning of Chapter 4.
A conditioned reflex is a stimulus-response sequence in which a stimulus elicits a response because the stimulus was paired with a different stimulus that elicited that response. After three failed attempts of a double axel and falling badly, Susan now pairs a neutral stimulus, approaching the double axel, with feelings of fear which is now a conditioned response.
State the procedure and result of respondent conditioning.
The principle of respondent conditioning includes the procedure of pairing a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus which elicits an unconditioned response, and the result is that the neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus, that elicits a conditioned response.
In a sentence each, briefly state five variables that influence the development of a conditioned reflex.
1) First, the greater the number of pairings of a conditioned stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus, the greater the ability of the CS to elicit the CR, until the maximum strength of the conditioned response has been reached. 2) Stronger conditioning occurs if the conditioned stimulus precedes the unconditioned stimulus by just a second, rather than by a longer time, or rather than by following the unconditioned stimulus. 3) A conditioned stimulus acquires greater ability to elicit a conditioned response if the conditioned stimulus is always paired with a given unconditioned stimulus, than if it is only occasionally paired with the US. 4) When several neutral stimuli precede an unconditioned stimulus, the stimulus that is most consistently associated with the US is the one most likely to become a strong conditioned stimulus. 5) Respondent conditioning will develop more quickly and strongly when the conditioned stimulus or the unconditioned stimulus both are intense rather than weak.
Describe the procedure and result of positive reinforcement.
The principle of positive reinforcement includes a procedure, the presentation of a reinforcer immediately after a behaviour, and an effect or result, the behaviour is strengthened.
Define conditioned reinforcer. Describe two sport examples of conditioned reinforcers that are not in this chapter.
Stimuli that acquire reinforcing value are called conditioned reinforcers (or secondary or learned reinforcers). Examples: seeing a golf ball drop in the cup, or seeing the net swish in basketball after a field goal.
Distinguish between a natural reinforcer and a deliberately-programmed reinforcer. Illustrate each with a sport example that is not in this chapter.
Reinforcers that immediately follow behaviour in the normal course of everyday living are called natural reinforcers, and the settings in which they occur are called the natural environment. Example: Response: A basketball player tries a new form on his shot. Naturally occurring consequence: He begins to make more shots. Effect on the response: He is more likely to use that form on future shots.
When reinforcers are deliberately manipulated in order to change behaviour, they are referred to as arbitrary, contrived, or deliberately-programmed reinforcers. Example: Coach Dawson awarded points to his junior high basketball team for their performance on certain practice drills and for being good team players.
What are two differences between the effects of continuous versus intermittent reinforcement?
1) Individuals are likely to work much more consistently on certain intermittent schedules of reinforcement than on continuous reinforcement; and 2) a behaviour that has been reinforced intermittently is likely to take much longer to extinguish then a behaviour that has been reinforced continuously.
Define fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement.
Fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement occurs if a fixed number of responses occurs after a fixed number of a certain response is emitted.
Define variable interval schedule with a limited hold.
Variable interval schedule with a limited hold requires only one response (rather than a certain number), but that response must occur at an unpredictable period of time.
Describe four categories of punishers.
1) Physical punishment: includes all punishers, contingent on behaviour, that activate pain receptors or other sensory receptors which typically evoke feelings of discomfort.
2) Reprimands: strong negative verbal stimuli contingent upon behaviour.
3) Timeout: involves transferring an individual from a more reinforcing to a less reinforcing situation following a particular behaviour.
4) Response cost: involves the removal of a specified amount of reinforcer following a particular behaviour, and is a conditioned punisher, as are reprimands and timeouts. Physical punishers are not conditioned.
List three differences between operant behaviour and respondent behaviour.
1) Operant behaviour is controlled by consequences whereas respondent behaviour is automatic responses to prior stimuli.
2) Operant behaviour is referred as voluntary behaviour and respondent behaviour is referred to as reflexive or involuntary.
3) Operant behaviour is said to be emitted by an individual and respondent behaviour is said to be elicited by prior stimuli.
Describe the procedure and result of both operant and respondent extinction.
Operant extinction procedure: A response is no longer followed by a reinforcer. Operant extinction result: Response is less likely to occur.
Respondent extinction procedure: The conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus. Respondent extinction result: The conditioned stimulus loses the ability to elicit the conditioned response.
