Lesson 5: Reinforcement Flashcards
Definition: reinforcement
An increase in the probability of a response due to the consequences that followed that response in the past
2 types of reinforcement (2)
(1) positive reinforcement
(2) negative reinforcement
Definition: positive reinforcement
An increase in the probability of behaviour due to the addition of a stimulus after previous instances of that behaviour
The addition of a stimulus following a behaviour which leads to an increase in that behaviour
Definition: negative reinforcement
An increase in the probability of a behaviour due to the removal of a stimulus after previous instances of that behaviour
The removal of a stimulus following a behaviour which leads to an increase in that behaviour
Definition: functional interpretation
A hypothesis that we propose about the environmental events that are functionally related to behaviour.
Definition: functional assessment
A set of methods used to generate and test functional interpretations.
3 ways to carry out a functional assessment (3)
A functional assessment involves the entire process of (a) generating functional interpretations via direct and/or indirect assessment and then (b) conducting a functional analysis to test those interpretations.
(1) direct assessment
(2) indirect assessment
(3) functional analysis
Definition: direct assessment
Directly observing behaviour and taking note of its antecedents and consequences
Definition: indirect assessment
Talk with the person experiencing the problem behaviour and/or those who interact with that person (e.g., a parent or carer), but do not observe the act-in-context directly, in order to identify antecedents and consequences of their behaviour
Definition: functional analysis
Systematically modifying the contingencies in the participant’s environment, and seeing what happens to the frequency of the problem behaviour.
In other words, testing functional interpretations which are generated through direct and/or indirect assessments.
Definition: the Matching Law (2)
When several behaviours are possible, behaviours will be emitted at a frequency directly proportional to the frequency with which they lead to reinforcement.
When it’s possible to engage in multiple operant behaviours, the probability that a person will engage in one behaviour is directly proportional to the probability of reinforcement connected to that behaviour.
The Matching Law in symbols + explenation
RA/ (RA+ RB) = rA/ (rA + rB)
On the left side of the formula is the relative frequency with which one of the behavioural alternatives is emitted. If there is no specific preference for A or B, this ratio will be equal to .50.
The right side of the formula expresses the relative reinforcement rate of behavioural alternative A, relative to the number of reinforcers connected to both behaviour A and behaviour B.
The matching law points to the fact that there is usually a (fairly) perfect match between both of these ratios.
What is the implication of the Matching Law for interventions?
If there is a behaviour that we would like to reinforce then we need to make sure that the frequency of reinforcers that are delivered following that behaviour is higher than for other behaviours
Definition: the Premack Principle
The Premack Principle is highly useful when we want to increase less probable behaviours. It does this by making more probable behaviours contingent on less probable behaviours.
or: Making a behaviour with a high-probability of reinforcement contingent on emitting a behaviour with a low probability of reinforcement.
A behaviour is then functioning as a reinforcer for another behaviour.
What is the implication of the Premack Principle for interventions?
If we can identify a behaviour with a high probability of reinforcement in a client then we can leverage this as a consequence to increase behaviour with a lower probability of reinforcement
