Don't shoot the dog

Question 1

Reinforcer:

Answer 1

A reinforcer is anything that tends to increase the probability that the act will occur again. You can make an action more frequent with positive reinforcement; you cannot reinforce behavior that isn’t happening.

Question 2

Aversive

Answer 2

An “aversive” is anything a person or animal will work to avoid. A negative reinforcer is an aversive that can be halted or avoided by changing behavior – preferably, as soon as the new behavior starts, the aversive stops.

Question 3

Why is timing important with negative reinforcement?

Answer 3

If the negative reinforcer doesn’t cease exactly when behavior has been modified, it neither reinforces nor informs.

Question 4

Why do you keep a reinforcer small?

Answer 4

The trainee will tire of it less quickly.

Question 5

How many reinforcements can you give animal per session and per day?

Answer 5

20 reinforcements in per session, and no more than about 80 per day

Question 6

How many reinforcements are standard?

Answer 6

Depends on species and age.

Question 7

Why would you use a bigger reward than normal for the same action?

Answer 7

Surprising or “unearned” positive reinforcers of, say, ten times the usual size, might relieve a feeling of oppression, resentment, or sullen inaction.

Question 8

Condintional reinforcer:

Answer 8

A conditioned reinforcer is a signal deliberately presented before or during the delivery of a primary reinforcer.