JD - CH.17 - Exploiting Premack's principle Flashcards
What is Premack’s principle?
Reframed phrase of reinforcement: Opportunity to engage in preferred response(eating) rather than providing reinforcing thing(food).
What should you keep in mind when using an activity as reinforcement?
Strength of reinforcement activity is relative to context. Ex. Eating turkey sandwich extremely reinforcing if hungry. Might have lower value in other conditions.
What is the reality with Premack’s principle vs Skinner’s reinforcement principle?
All reinforcement contingencies can be explained in Premacky terms. “It’s all Premack”.
Set an ex of a “problem” behavior that could benefit from using Premackæ’s principle.
Norman obsessively chasing stuff (bed sheets). Not interested in treats/praise those situations. No other signs of aggression, obedience star pupil.
What would be the strategy in Norman’s case by using Premack’s principle?
Strategy: Turn distraction into reward.
What is the distraction for the dog vs for the human in cases such as Norman’s?
Distractions are trumping motivator we wish to employ. Not distractions to dog, just better motivator. Trainer actually distraction waving food in dogs face.
Rephrase Premack’s principle mentioned earlier.
Use high probability behavior to get low probability behavior.
How does the low and high probability behaviors make sense in Norman’s case and how would you strategically use them in training away(reducing) the bed sheets attacking?
Norman not attacking bed sheet = Low probability behavior. Give him opportunity often enough to maintain low probability behavior. Allow short bursts of attacking bed sheets at times you decide.
Which behaviors are in play in Norman’s training?
Low probability waiting behavior (short to longer duration impulse ctr), High probability bed sheet attacking.
What is the strategy within the waiting vs bed sheet attacking training plan?
Do polite waiting behavior (short to longer duration impulse ctr), then short burst of bed sheet attacking.
What is essential to succeed with Norman’s training plan?
Train very sturdy down-stay: Hold him at first, will very likely fail. As little mechanical restrain as possible = Agitating in prey drive situations. First rewarding small droplets of self-ctr.
What are the actual practical steps with Norman?
Ex.vacuum: One holds Norman (is in down-stay). Other vacuums gently. If Norman out of position, stop vacuuming, back to down-stay. Repeat. Once stays a little while, give go signal. 4-5sec of play. Then repeat.
Why do many people believe this training is not working?
Some get worse in beginning. Is ok. Stick to plan!
