Chapter 7 (Watson and Skinner)

Question 1

what are explanatory fictions ?

Answer 1

Explanatory Fictions are statements whose cause and effect explain the same thing. Therefore problematic
Ex: lack of studying = “not enough will power” or “weak ego”
Limitations: it impedes further analysis (imprecise language obstructs observation)

Question 2

What is Classical Conditioning and how is it different from Operant Conditioning?

Answer 2

Classical conditioning pairs two stimuli, while operant conditioning pairs behavior and response

Question 3

Positive Reinforcement and Negative Reinforcement

Answer 3

Increases Behaviour

Question 4

Positive punishment and Negative punishment

Answer 4

Decreases Behaviour

Question 5

Problems with aversive control procedures(punishments) (NR, PP, NP)?

Answer 5

• tells a person what not to do but not what to do
• inhabits growth. It creates anxiety which interferes with future learning.
• subversive behaving(action which undermines authority)

Question 6

Difference between discriminative stimulus (SD) and S-delta (S∆)?

Answer 6

Discriminative stimulus (SD): A stimulus correlated with reinforcement.
ex: smile when someone smiles at you
S-delta (S∆): A stimulus correlated with extinction
ex: A frown= you likely will not say hi to them.

Question 7

Primary & and secondary reinforcers

Answer 7

Primary = no previous/primary conditioning required
Secondary = something learnt, ex:money

Question 8

Primary and secondary punishers

Answer 8

Primary = touching something hot "ow"
Secondary = punisher you've learnt ex: speeding ticket

Question 9

Shaping

Answer 9

The processes reinforcing behaviors that are closer to the target behavior,

Question 10

Behavioral therapies

Answer 10

Classical and operant conditioning

Question 11

Mentalistic fictions

Answer 11

Mentalistic explanations are problematic because they are unable to be scientifically proven Two Big Problems :

1. Input(Ineffective contingencies-future events) to Output(rearrange contingencies)
2. Impedes further inquiry: imprecise language obstructs observation and stifles(stops) deeper analysis

Question 12

Was skinner theory scientific ?

Answer 12

Prior approaches were not scientific because words weren’t used properly