Chapter 7

Question 0

Punishers

Answer 0

Aversive stimuli that organisms will seek to avoid if possible

Question 1

Punishment

Answer 1

a practice used to decrease the strength of a behavior through consequences
Necessary characteristics:
Behavior must have a consequence
Behavior must decrease in strength
Reduction in strength in behavior must occur as a result of consequence

Question 2

Positive punishment

Answer 2

Adding something aversive in order for something to less likely occur
Ex: spanking

Question 3

Negative punishment

Answer 3

Taking away something pleasant in or for something to less likely occur
Ex: taking away video games

Question 4

Contingency

Answer 4

Degree to which punishment is dependent upon the occurrence of behavior
Greater degree of contingency = faster behavior change

Question 5

Contiguity

Answer 5

Interval between a behavior and a punishing consequence
The longer the delay, the slower the learning
Immediate punishment will maximize the effect

Question 6

Intensity

Answer 6

The strength of the aversive

Stronger intensity punishment yields more effective behavior change

Question 7

Introductory level of punishment

Answer 7

Beginning intensity is important
If starting with weak and gradually increasing, organism will endure levels that may have stopped behavior if used at start

Question 8

Reinforcement of the punished behavior

Answer 8

Must evaluate the frequency, amount, and quality of reinforcement the behavior produces
Is a behavior is highly reinforcing, it may persist despite the presence of punishment

Question 9

Alternative sources of reinforcement

Answer 9

If Reinforcement that the behavior produces can be obtained elsewhere, punishment is likely to be effective
If the specific behavior is the only way to get the reinforcement and the reinforcement is highly motivating, the behavior may persist

Question 10

Deprivation level

Answer 10

If individual has not received reinforcement in a while, and it is a high level reinforcer, then behavior is likely to persist (motivating operations)
If organism is sated on reinforcer, then punishment will likely stop the behavior

Question 11

One process theory

Answer 11

The view that avoidance and punishment involve only one procedure, operant learning.

Question 12

Two process theory

Answer 12

The view that avoidance and punishment involve 2 procedures, Pavlovian and operant learning

Question 13

Disruption theory

Answer 13

Skinner initially believed that punishment worked because it was disruptive to the behavior
That it created responses that were incompatible with the original behavior
Research disconfirms this (effects of punishment last longer than simple interruption of behavior. Punishment has greater suppressive effect than non contingent aversives)

Question 14

Aggression

Answer 14

Attempt to attack those who try to punish us
Particularly likely when escape is possible
Attempt to exert control over a punisher
Aggression may be directed at another object that is not even the source of punishment

Question 15

Apathy

Answer 15

May result in suppression of behavior in general, not just undesired behavior
Often results when punishment is commonly used in response to many types of behavior
Individuals may become afraid to do anything, lest they get punished

Question 16

Imitation of the punisher

Answer 16

Children who are often heavily punished often use this strategy with siblings and peers

Question 17

Controversiality

Answer 17

Should we use punishment

Big difference between hitting and losing access to a preferred activity

Question 18

Response prevention

Answer 18

Altering the environment in some way so as to try and prevent the behavior from occurring at all
Recognizing that adult attention is often the main reinforcer for child misbehavior

Question 19

Differential reinforcement of zero responding

Answer 19

Reinforcement is contingent on not performing the behavior for a specified period of time
DRL is for reducing behavior, DR0 is for eliminating entirely

Question 20

Differential enforcement of incompatible behavior

Answer 20

Reinforce the behavior that is incompatible with the unwanted behavior
By increasing rate of desired behavior, there was literally and automatically less time available for engaging in the undesired behavior