Chapter 6 Material

Question 1

Positive Reinforcement (SR+)

Answer 1

The presentation of a consequence, the effect of which is to increase operant behavior above its no-reinforcer baseline level

Question 2

Escape (SRe-)

Answer 2

Negative reinforcement where a consequence removal or reduction of a stimulus, the effect of which is an increase operant behavior above its no reinforcer baseline level

Question 3

Avoidance (SRa-)

Answer 3

Negative reinforcement where a consequent prevention of a stimulus change, the effect of which is to increase operant behavior above its no reinforcer baseline level

Question 4

Two functions of avoidance that differ from escape:

Answer 4

1. A warning signal typically precedes the operant response
2. The operant response prevents the aversive stimulus change from happening

Question 5

What are three reasons for distinguishing between positive and negative reinforcement?

Answer 5

1. Heuristics
2. Loss aversion
3. Preference for positive reinforcement

Question 6

Loss aversion

Answer 6

The tendency for loss prevention (SRa-) to influence behavior more than presentation of the same stimulus (SR+). People tend to not want to lose something more then the benefits they get when initially gaining it

Question 7

Why should heuristics be avoided?

Answer 7

Other reinforcement treatment methods may be more efficient then the first one that comes to mind

Question 8

Why isn’t a preference for positive reinforcement alway good?

Answer 8

Some individual may prefer negative reinforcement over positive reinforcement

Question 9

What are three of the most common objections against reinforcement?

Answer 9

1. Effects of intrinsic motivation
2. Performance inhibiting properties of reinforcement
   3.Cheating

Question 10

Intrinsic Motivation

Answer 10

The natural drive to engage in a behavior because it fosters a sense of competence

Question 11

Extrinsic Motivation

Answer 11

Reinforcers that are not automatically obtained by engaging in the behavior; instead they are artificially arranged

Question 12

Why is the idea that reinforcement effects intrinsic motivation incorrect?

Answer 12

Studies have shown that extrinsic reinforcers do not decrease intrinsic motivation to engage in behavior when the probability of behavior is low. When the probability of behavior is high and extrinsic reinforcers are offered, a small negative effect may occur.

Question 13

Why is the concern that reinforcement effects creativity and performance during high stakes incorrect?

Answer 13

Experiment designs or designs in reality support the claim reinforcement doesn’t restrict creativity or cause choking under pressure such as needing to be creative to be successful on youtube or given large amounts of time to do well on high stakes tasks by practicing

Question 14

If you want an individual to participate in low probability behavior, what should you do?

Answer 14

The use of reinforcers may be useful

Question 15

Why can extrinsic reinforcers be a good thing?

Answer 15

Extrinsic reinforcers can teach individuals the low probability behavior they despise (such as eating vegetables) are actually enjoyable

Question 16

How can you reduce cheating?

Answer 16

Monitor cheating and punish those proven guilty

Question 17

Why should you be careful of large rewards?

Answer 17

They can induce cheating and increase the probability of choking under pressure

Question 18

What can you do to compensate for large rewards?

Answer 18

Give participants large amounts of time to practice and monitor cheating

Question 19

What are two ways to answer how reinforcement works?

Answer 19

1. The biological/neurological pathways behind reinforcement
   2.The way that the individual changes behavior within the environment