Chp 6 Flashcards
Positive reinforcement (SR+)
The presentation of a consequence, the effect of which is to increase operant behavior
Negative reinforcement escape (SRe-)
A consequent removal or reduction of a stimulus, the effect of which is to increase operant behavior above it’s no-reinforcer baseline level
Negative reinforcement avoidance (SRa-)
Consequent prevention of a stimulus change, the effect of which is to increase operant behavior above it’s no-reinforcer baseline level
Two factor theory
Avoidance responses do produce a consequence: fear reduction
One factor theory
Operant conditioning alone can explain avoidance
Loss aversion
The tendency for loss prevention (SRa-) to influence behavior more than presentation of the same stimulus (SR+)
Reasons to distinguish bw positive and heavier reinforcement
Heuristics, Loss aversion,
Preference to positive reinforcement, it helps us remember there’s more than one way to influence behavior, negative reinforcement has a greater influence on behavior
Objections to reinforcement
Intrinsic motivation
Performance-inhibiting properties of reinforcement
Cheating
Intrinsic motivation
The natural drive to engage in a behavior bc it fosters a sense of competence
Extrinsic reinforcers
Reinforcers that aren’t automatically obtained by engaging in the behavior, instead they’re artificially arranged
(Getting a toy for coloring a picture)
2 Performance inhibiting properties:
Creativity & choking under pressure
How do we learn more about reinforcement?
Study the neurological events that occur when reinforcers are obtained,
Study the organism and how it interacts w the environment
Response strengthening theory of reinforcement
The more frequently an operant behavior is followed by a reinforcer the more firmly it’s established and more difficult it will be to change
(Water bucket metaphor)
Info theory of reinforcement
Reinforcers provide info that allows the person to predict when or where subsequent reinforcers may be obtained
