Operant applications Flashcards
What is the most common operant application with animals?
Shaping
What do animal trainers rely on more than punishment these days?
Positive reinforcement
What does it mean to be self-aware?
TO observe one’s own behaviour
What can we do when we observe our own behaviour?
We can note forms of our own behaviour, such as thoughts
Why do we observe the behaviour of others?
Because doing so is reinforced
Why do we observe our own behaviour?
Because it is reinforced
What happens when we observe our behaviour carefully?
We can better predict what we will do which allows us to behave more effectively
Do animals have self-awareness?
They are capable of a rudimentary form
Are animals self-aware in the same way as humans?
Uncertain, animals can become careful observers of their own bodies but do not demonstrate that they observe their own thoughts, moods or other private behaviour
How do humans acquire self-awareness?
It is learned
How do humans learn self-awareness?
From other people
- adults observe and comment on behaviour in a way that suggests certain experiences so the child learns to observe those private events
What else do adults teach re self-awareness?
How to comment on and predict from self-observations
What happens when a child comments on a private experience?
If the observation is accurate, it will likely be reinforced
What is self-control?
The tendency to act in our own best interests.
What is a crucial component of self-control?
Choice
What does it mean to choose wisely?
That one is exerting self control in a way that chooses things for the long-term best interest
What is involved in choice?
Complex interaction of the nature of the reinforcers and the amount of delay for each
What is the circular justification for having good self-control?
That someone has good will power, discipline or strength of character: they all mean to behave sensibly which is the same thing as self-control
What are the primary self-control techniques?
- Physical restraint
- distancing
- distraction
- deprivation and satiation
- inform others of our goals
- monitoring behaviour
Why is it effective to inform others of our goals?
Because people around us behave in ways that help or hinder our efforts to change and
- self-control requires changing our environment and in telling other people, we can change their behaviour in ways that affect ours for the better
How do we acquire self-control techniques?
We learn them, they are behaviours that must be established and learned
How do we acquire self-control techniques?
We learn them, they are behaviours that must be established and learned
What can help increase the use of self-control techniques?
Instruction
What are people lacking when they don’t have self-control?
Instruction
