Chapter 5 Material Flashcards
Operant Behavior
A generic class of responses influenced by antecedents, with each response in the class producing the same consequence
Antecedent
An observable stimulus that is present before the behavior occurs
Consequence
An observable stimulus change that happens after behavior occurs
Two-term contingency
A two term relationship in which one term in directly related to the other
Response-Consequence Contingency
Describes the causal (IF -> THEN) relation between an operant behavior and its consequence
Non contingent consequence
A consequence occurs after a response, but the reason why the consequence happened doesn’t occur because of the response
Superstitious Behavior
Occurs when an individual behaves as though a response-consequence contingency exists when, in fact the relation between response and consequences is non contingent
Reinforcer
A consequence that increases operant behavior above its baseline level
Reinforcement
The process or procedure whereby a reinforcer increases operant behavior above its baseline level`
Reward
Beneficial consequences that we think will function as reinforcers, but we don’t know yet if they will
Edward L. Thorndike
The first scientist to demonstrate that reinforcers increase the probability of behavior
What is the first question we can ask when deciding if a consequence is a reinforcer?
Does the stimulus change happen after the behavior of interest? (If yes, we move on to the next question)
What is the second question we can ask when deciding if a consequence is a reinforcer?
Does the consequence increase the behavior of interest above its baseline (no reinforcer) level? (If yes, we move on to the final question)
What is the last question we can ask when deciding if a consequence is a reinforcer?
What happens when this stimulus no longer follows the behavior of interest? (If behavior declines, it is a reinforcer)
What is another name for operant behavior using instruments?
Instrumental behavior
