Chapter 5- Unit 2

Question 1

1. Explain what an unconditioned reinforcer is. Give 2 examples.

Answer 1

unconditioned reinforcers are stimuli which are reinforcing without prior learning, or without having to be associated with any other reinforcers. Food for someone who has not eaten for several hours, or water for someone who has not had a drink for several hours, are unconditioned reinforcers.

Question 2

6. What are tokens?

Answer 2

Tokens are conditioned reinforcers that can be accumulated and exchanged for other reinforcers (back up reinforcer).

Question 3

7. Explain in 2 or 3 sentences what a token economy is.

Answer 3

A token system (or economy) is a behaviour modification program that uses tokens to reinforce desirable specific Behaviour. The tokens can be exchanged for more powerful reinforcers called backup reinforcers.

Question 4

Distinguish between a simple conditioned reinforcer and a generalized conditioned reinforcer. Explain why a generalized conditioned reinforcer is more effective than a simple conditioned reinforcer.

Answer 4

A conditioned reinforcer that is paired with a single backup reinforcer is called a simple conditioned reinforcer. In contrast, a stimulus that is paired with more than one kind of backup reinforcer is referred to as a generalized conditioned reinforcer. A generalized conditioned reinforcer is more effective than a simple conditioned reinforcer because the reinforcing power of s conditioned reinforcer depends in part f the number of backup reinforcers available for it. This factor is related TJ the fact that if many different backup reinforcers are available l, the. At any given time l, at least one if then will probably be strong enough to maintain the behaviour at a high reinforcing strength.

Question 5

16. Describe two pitfalls of conditioned reinforcement, and give an example of each.

Answer 5

There are 2 pitfalls of conditioned reinforcement:

1. The unaware- misapplication pitfall
   - unaware- misapplication= when ppl who are unfamiliar with principle of conditioned reinforcement unknowingly misapply it in various ways
   - ex. Adult frequently punished child for behaving inappropriately but never provides any type of backup punisher and reprimand is accompanied by other aspects of adult attention that are likely to have acquired conditioned reinforcing value because of previous pairings with reinforcers
2. The partial knowledge- Misapplication Pitfall
   - partial- knowledge= in ceasing to pair a conditioned reinforcer with a backup reinforcer occurs, can have h fortunate results for this hi are not swayed that this will cause a conditioned reinforcement to lose its value
   - ex. Teacher awards stamp Lee happy faces as tokens for food behaviour but fails to use effective backup reinforcers so stamped happy faces lose reinforcing power they once had