Chapter 7 Flashcards
Punishers
Aversive stimuli that organisms will seek to avoid if possible
Punishment
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
Positive punishment
Adding something aversive in order for something to less likely occur
Ex: spanking
Negative punishment
Taking away something pleasant in or for something to less likely occur
Ex: taking away video games
Contingency
Degree to which punishment is dependent upon the occurrence of behavior
Greater degree of contingency = faster behavior change
Contiguity
Interval between a behavior and a punishing consequence
The longer the delay, the slower the learning
Immediate punishment will maximize the effect
Intensity
The strength of the aversive
Stronger intensity punishment yields more effective behavior change
Introductory level of punishment
Beginning intensity is important
If starting with weak and gradually increasing, organism will endure levels that may have stopped behavior if used at start
Reinforcement of the punished behavior
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
Alternative sources of reinforcement
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
Deprivation level
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
One process theory
The view that avoidance and punishment involve only one procedure, operant learning.
Two process theory
The view that avoidance and punishment involve 2 procedures, Pavlovian and operant learning
Disruption theory
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)
Aggression
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
Apathy
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
Imitation of the punisher
Children who are often heavily punished often use this strategy with siblings and peers
Controversiality
Should we use punishment
Big difference between hitting and losing access to a preferred activity
Response prevention
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
Differential reinforcement of zero responding
Reinforcement is contingent on not performing the behavior for a specified period of time
DRL is for reducing behavior, DR0 is for eliminating entirely
Differential enforcement of incompatible behavior
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
