Non-Relationship: B.F. Skinner Flashcards

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1
Q

Skinners World View

A

Magic vs. Common Sense

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2
Q

The Scientific Method

A
  • Science has cured, religion has not.
  • Psychology is guided by scientific methodology.
  • Scientific studies require replication.
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3
Q

Skinners Major Concepts

A
  • Explanatory Fiction
  • Prediction and Control
  • Operant Conditioning
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4
Q

Explanatory Fictions

A
  • Terms used by non behaviorists to describe the causes of human behavior when they are un aware of the true (real) causes.
  • Hypothesis that we aren’t free is essential to the scientific method. Everything we do is controllable.

Ex) Concept of freedom of choice. (westerns especially)

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5
Q

Prediction and Control

A
  • Science predicts.
  • To the extent that relevant conditions can be controlled the future can be controlled.
  • If we can control external conditions, we can control behavior.
  • Schools (ex: grades), Prisons, Mental Hospitals, and delinquents are all products of behavior modification.
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6
Q

Operant Conditioning

A

Reinforcing behavior

  • Weaken behavior with aversive action
    ex) Oregon Pedos get shock treatment.
  • No difference between rats and humans, we both look for rewards and reinforcement.
  • Distinct from Classical Conditioning, which is reliant on past experiences.
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7
Q

Skinner Box

A

Introduces a hungry pigeon to a box must peck disc to release food. Release food to draw in, wait for bird to put the action and reward together.

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8
Q

Continuous Reinforcement Schedule

A

Continues behavior

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9
Q

Fixed Interval Schedule

A

Give food to bird every couple seconds to encourage pecking.

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10
Q

Ratio Reinforcement

A

Every Fourth peck give food

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11
Q

Variable Ratio Reinforcement Schedule

A

Ex) Slot Machines, results based on how many quarters put in, not time.

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12
Q

Non Contingent Reinforcements

A

Accidentally reinforced behavior. Sometimes this kind of reinforcement makes people superstitious. Something happens once or twice, and it gets labeled as a constant truth.

Ex) An individual prays at a tree, the prayer comes true, there then is a new sacredness associated with it.

  • Religion and faith is our customary way to provide proof of our happenings.
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13
Q

Religious Institutions and Control

A

Traditional religion uses aversive reinforcement to teach people. They Terrify people with stories of the devil, sin, etc. to promote faith.

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14
Q

Waldon II

A

Utopian novel about place controlled by psychologists. It showed how to produce people who are happy, obedient, trouble free, and it isn’t done through reward.

  • No smoking or drinking
  • No need for formal religion, far better behaved than any religious group.
  • Religion is childish, neurotic, aversive, and punishing.
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