Chapter 4b

Question 1

premack principle

Answer 1

states that a higher frequency behavior will function as reinforcement for a lower frequency behavior

Question 2

response hierarchy

Answer 2

any response in the hierarchy should reinforce any behavior below it; that response would also be reinforced by any behavior above it

Question 3

instrumental response

Answer 3

the behavior that produces the opportunity to engage in some activity

Question 4

contingent response

Answer 4

the activity obtained by making the instrumental response

Question 5

response deprivation hypothesis

Answer 5

when a contingency is set between the instrumental and contingent responses, equilibrium is disturbed

Question 6

response deprivation

Answer 6

occurs when access to the contingent behavior is restricted and falls below its baseline (or free choice e) level of occurrence

Question 7

latency

Answer 7

the time between stimulus and a behavior

Question 8

law of effect

Answer 8

operants may be followed by the presentation of contingent consequenes that increase the rate (frequency of response divided by time) of this behavior

Question 9

rate of response

Answer 9

aka operant rate; the number of responses in a specified interval

considered a better measure of operant behavior

Question 10

in vitro reinforcement (IVR)

Answer 10

Reinforcement using brain slice preparations and drug injections that stimulate the dopamine receptor

Question 11

neuroplasticity

Answer 11

alterations of neurons and neural interconnections during a lifetime by changes in the environmental contingencies

Question 12

operant rate/probability of response

Answer 12

measure of the probability of behavior

an operant that occurs at a high rate in one situation has a high probability of being emitted in a similar situation in the future

Question 13

free operant method

Answer 13

responses can be made without interference from the experimenter; allows the researcher to observe changes in the rate of response

Question 14

operant chamber

Answer 14

structures the situation so the desired behavior will occur and incompatible behavior is reduced

Question 15

deprivation operation

Answer 15

procedure of restricting access to the potentially reinforcing stimulus

Question 16

magazine training

Answer 16

after deprivation, magazine training starts

after training the animal would stay close to the magazine move quickly toward the magazine

Question 17

conditioned reinforcer

Answer 17

an event or stimulus that acquires its reinforcing function over the lifetime of the organism

Question 18

operant level

Answer 18

rate of response before any known conditioning

Question 19

continuous reinforcement

Answer 19

when each response produces a reinforcing event

everytime the lever is pressed food is delivered