CHP 6 OPERANT LEARNING II: POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT

Question 1

Positive reinforcer

Answer 1

the presentation of a stimulus

Question 2

Negative reinforcer (escape)

Answer 2

a removal/reduction of an aversive stimulus

Question 3

Negative reinforcer (avoidance)

Answer 3

a consequent prevention of a stimulus change

Question 4

Why is it important to distinguish between positive and negative reinforcers?

Answer 4

1. Know your options for positively influencing (reinforcing) behavior
2. Loss aversion (people dislike losing things, so negative reinforcement avoidance is more effective than positive or escape)
3. People prefer positive reinforcement

Question 5

3 objections to using reinforcement

Answer 5

1. Extrinsic reinforcers decrease intrinsic motivation (not really, but it can have a temporary neg effect if the reinforcer is tangible and used to reinforce high-interest behavior)
2. Extrinsic motivation squashes creativity and causes choking under pressure (TRUE if there is a large reward and no time to practice the desired behavior)
3. Reinforcement increases the probability of cheating (TRUE)

Question 6

Response strengthening theory

Answer 6

each obtained reinforcer is hypothesized to strengthen the behavior it follows

Question 7

Information theory

Answer 7

reinforcers provide info that allows the individual to predict when/where subsequent reinforcers can be obtained