Humane Hierarchy

Question 1

The humane hierarchy steps

Answer 1

1. Health, nutritional, and physical factors
2. Antecedents
3. Positive reinforcement, classical conditioning
4. Live with or manage the behavior, negative punishment, negative reinforcement, extinction, consult another professional
5. Positive punishment

Question 2

When trying to change an unwanted behavior considering health (1st step of HH), what should you be looking for?

Answer 2

Consider that health deficiency or environmental factor may be causing the unwanted behavior. Always have client go to the vet to seek a diagnoses.

Question 3

How does one alter antecedents to modify or manage a behavior? (2nd step of HH)

Answer 3

Implement environmental management strategies to prevent the behavior from happening. For example, if the dog is barking through the window, install blinds.

Question 4

How is positive reinforcement used to modify or manage a behavior? (3rd step of HH)

Answer 4

Deliver reinforcement for a desirable alternate behavior. Apply differential reinforcement to allow the dog to do something they feel is more reinforcing than the unwanted behavior.

Question 5

How is classical conditioning used to modify or manage a behavior? (3rd step of HH)

Answer 5

By changing the dog’s association with an unwanted stimulus by presenting the aversive stimulus at a sub-threshold intensity.

Question 6

How is negative punishment used to modify or manage a behavior? (4th step of HH)

Answer 6

By withdrawing a positive reinforcer when the unwanted behavior occurs to reduce the probability that the behavior will occur in the future. For example, ignoring a dog who is jumping.

Question 7

How is extinction used to manage or modify a behavior? (4th step of HH)

Answer 7

By withholding reinforcement of a previously reinforced behavior with the goal of extinguishing the behavior. For example, if the dog begs but you always ignore them, eventually the behavior will stop.

Question 8

How is negative reinforcement used to manage or modify a behavior? (4th step of HH)

Answer 8

By withdrawing an aversive stimulus when the desired behavior occurs to increase the probability that the behavior will occur in the future. For example, pushing a dog’s butt down to sit. You are increasing a behavior which is why it is not punishment.

Question 9

How is positive punishment used to manage or modify a behavior? (5th step of HH)

Answer 9

By delivering an aversive consequence in response to an unwanted behavior to reduce the probability that the behavior will happen in the future. For example, shocking a dog when they bark. The goal is to decrease the behavior.

Question 10

What does the training and behavior intervention practices policy state as unacceptable aversive training practices?

Answer 10

Choking, lifting the dog by the collar off the ground, using an e-collar before exhausting all other options