Chapter 7 Flashcards
Explain what an unconditioned reinforcer is. Give two examples.
Such stimuli or events are important for our biological functioning or survival as a species and are called unconditioned reinforcers, which are stimuli that are reinforcing without prior learning or conditioning. They are also called primary or unlearned reinforcers. Examples include food for a hungry person, water for a thirsty person, warmth for someone who is cold, and sexual contact for some- one who has been deprived of such contact.
Explain what a conditioned reinforcer is. Give and explain two examples.
Other stimuli become reinforcers because of particular learning experiences. These stimuli, called conditioned reinforcers, are stimuli that were not originally reinforcing but have become reinforcers by being paired or associated with other reinforcers. They are also called secondary or learned reinforcers. Examples of conditioned reinforcers include praise, a picture of a loved one, books that we like to read, our favorite television programs, and clothes that make us look good.
Explain what a backup reinforcer is. Give and explain two examples.
When a stimulus becomes a conditioned reinforcer through deliberate association with other reinforcers, the other reinforcers are called backup reinforcers. Consider, for example, the type of training conducted with dolphins at Sea World. Early on, the trainer pairs the sound from a hand-held clicker with the delivery of fish to a dolphin. A fish is a backup reinforcer, and a er a number of pairings, the clicking sound becomes a conditioned reinforcer. Later, when teaching a dolphin to perform a trick, the sound of the clicker is presented as an immediate conditioned reinforcer, and the clicker sound continues to be intermittently paired with fish. In this example of training the dolphins, the backup reinforcer—the fish—was an unconditioned reinforcer.
*What were the backup reinforcers in Erin’s program?
Time on Facebook and time on YouTube.
Describe a target behavior of yours that you would like to improve that might be amenable to a points program like Erin’s. What would you use as backup reinforcers for the points?
Target behavior: road rage.
backup reinforcers: a piece of chocolate for every trip without road rage.
What are tokens?
Tokens are conditioned reinforcers that can be accumulated and exchanged for backup reinforcers.
Explain in two or three sentences what a token economy is.
A behavior modification program in which individuals can earn tokens for specific behaviors and can cash in their tokens for backup reinforcers is called a token system or a token economy. A token system can be implemented with one or more individuals. e term token economy usually refers to a token system implemented with a group of individuals.
*Is money a token? Justify your answer.
Money is a token because it can be accumulated and exchanged for a variety of backup reinforcers.
Give two examples of stimuli that are conditioned reinforcers but not tokens. Explain why they are conditioned reinforcers, and why they are not tokens.
Any two appropriate examples, such as the following: praise, a call to dinner, the sight of a loved one, or a friendly greeting. These are all associated with more powerful reinforcers, and therefore are conditioned reinforcers. However, they are not tokens because they cannot be accumulated and exchanged for various backup reinforcers.
*Explain what a conditioned punisher is. Give and explain two examples.
A conditioned punisher is a stimulus that is not originally punishing, but which acquires punishing power through association with a stimulus that is punishing. Examples might include criticism, scoldings, and a failing grade. These are all typically punishers because they have been paired with other aversive events.
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.
A conditioned reinforcer that is paired with a single backup reinforcer is called a simple conditioned reinforcer. The sound of the ice cream vendor’s bell in the above example was 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. Research indicates that tokens that are generalized conditioned reinforcers are more effective than tokens that are simple conditioned reinforcers—probably because, at least in part, generalized conditioned reinforcers are not dependent on just one MO.
Is a subway token a simple or generalized conditioned reinforcer? Explain your answer.
A subway token is a simple conditioned reinforcer because it is paired with a single backup reinforcer. A subway token grants you entry into the subway system, so after a few pairings with receiving entry with your token, it becomes a paired response.
Is a grocery store coupon a simple or generalized conditioned reinforcer? Explain your answer.
A grocery store coupon is a simple conditioned reinforcer because it is paired with only one kind of reinforcer. Presenting the coupon will save you money on the product you are purchasing, so you will associate the coupon with saving money.
Is praise a generalized conditioned reinforcer? Defend your answer.
Praise is a generalized conditioned reinforcer because a generalized conditioned reinforcer is a stimulus that is paired with more than one kind of backup reinforcer. Praise has more than one backup reward eg. Good job, have a cookie, eg. Good job go watch tv example is: a mother who expresses pleasure at her child’s good behaviour is disposed to smile at, hug, or play with the child. Sometimes a treat or other things the child enjoys may accompany the mother’s praise.
*Were the points in Erin’s program a generalized conditioned reinforcer? Defend your answer.
Yes, the points in Erin’s program functioned as a generalized conditioned reinforcer because the points could be paired with a variety of other reinforcers, such as the enjoyable scenes and information that Erin found on Facebook and YouTube.
