Lecture 8 - Motivational mechanisms Flashcards
What is the Two-Process Theory?
Two-process theory assumes that there are two distinct types of learning: Pavlovian and instrumental conditioning
Rescorla and Solomon assumed that the S–O association activates an emotional state that motivates the instrumental behavior
How could we test the idea that an S–O association (and the expectancies or emotions that such an association activates) can motivate instrumental behavior?
What are the steps?
Pavlovian instrumental transfer experiment
Phase 1 and 2
R-O and S-O
Phase 3
Testing if S increases rate of R
How can the existence of R–O associations be demonstrated?
The most common technique used to demonstrate the existence of R–O associations involves devaluing the reinforcer after conditioning.
Reinforcer devaluation involves making the reinforcer less attractive.
If the instrumental response occurs because of an R–O association, devaluation of the reinforcer should reduce the rate of the instrumental response.
What was the three-term contingency that Skinner proposed?
Hierarchical S(R–O) Relations
S, R, and O in instrumental conditioning are connected through a conditional S(R–O) relation
One possibility is that the R–O association is activated by the stimuli (S) that are present when the response is reinforced.
Antecedents of the Response-Allocation Approach
What is the Consummatory-Response Theory?
The consummatory-response theory attributes reinforcement to species-typical behaviors. It asserts that species-typical consummatory responses (eating, drinking, and the like) are themselves the critical feature of reinforcers.
Antecedents of the Response-Allocation Approach
What is The Premack Principle?
Given two responses of different likelihood, H and L, the opportunity to perform the higher probability response (H) after the lower probability response (L) will result in reinforcement of response L. (L –> H reinforces L.) The opportunity to perform the lower probability response (L) after the higher probability response (H) will not result in reinforcement of response H. (H –> L does not reinforce H.)
it is also called the differential probability principle.
Antecedents of the Response-Allocation Approach
What is The Response-Deprivation Hypothesis?
Timberlake and Allison abandoned the differential probability principle altogether and argued that restriction of the reinforcer activity was the critical factor for instrumental reinforcement. This proposal is called the response-deprivation hypothesis.
What is The Response-Allocation Approach?
Response allocation refers to how an individual distributes his or her responses among the various options that are available.
examine how the distribution of responses is altered when an instrumental conditioning procedure is introduced and what factors determine the nature of the response reallocation
The starting point for these analyses is the unconstrained baseline/behavioural bliss point
The Response-Allocation Approach
What is the effect of Imposing an Instrumental Contingency?
The rate of one response is brought as close as possible to its preferred level without moving the other response too far away from its preferred level.
Staddon, proposed a minimum-deviation model of behavioral regulation to solve the dilemma of schedule constraints. For situations in which the free baseline cannot be achieved in the face of a schedule constraint, the minimum-deviation model provides one view of how organisms settle for the next best thing.
How are reinforcement effects produced according to the response allocation perspective?
Access to the reinforcer is restricted; to gain more opportunity to engage in the reinforcer response, the individual has to perform more of the instrumental response.
Thus, increased performance of the instrumental response (a reinforcement effect) results from a reallocation of responses that minimize deviations from the free baseline or bliss point.
How are reinforcement effects produced according to the response allocation perspective?
Access to the reinforcer is restricted; to gain more opportunity to engage in the reinforcer response, the individual has to perform more of the instrumental response.
Thus, increased performance of the instrumental response (a reinforcement effect) results from a reallocation of responses that minimize deviations from the free baseline or bliss point.
Behavioral Economics
What determines elasticity of demand?
Determinants of the Elasticity of Demand
(1) Availability of Substitutes
(2) Price Range
(3) Income Level
(4) Link to Complementary Commodity
