Principles of Behaviour Modification

Question 1

List four types of problem behaviours

Answer 1

Immediate response to fear provoking stimulus
Anxiety about an uncertain or unpredicatble environment
Undesired behaviours which have inadvertently been reinforced
Fustration associated with inability to show highly motivated or learnt behaviours

Question 2

List three types of learning theories

Answer 2

Habituation
Sensitisation
Associative learning

Question 3

What are the two types of associative learning?

Answer 3

Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning

Question 4

Describe what could occur in a control of attention programme

Answer 4

Owner starts and finished all interactions
No response to attention seeking
Increases consistency
Can increase the animal’s confidence and reduce dependecncy on the owner

Question 5

What are the two main goals of behaviour modification?

Answer 5

Change animals emotional response to a stimulus
Change the animals motivation to show a certain behaviour

Question 6

Describe how classical conditioning works

Answer 6

Pavolvian conditioning
Action-reaction
Associative learning - often associate emotions with triggers

Question 7

Describe how operant conditioning may work

Answer 7

Trial and error
Associated behaviour with triggers
Need to identify a good reinforcer for each animal

Question 8

How does counter-conditioning work?

Answer 8

Changes emotions and NOT behaviours

Question 9

How does extinction behaviour work?

Answer 9

The withdrawal of reinforcement
All reinforcers must be identified and remove until behaviour ceases

Question 10

What is habituation and in what scenario is it best used?

Answer 10

Repeated exposure to a stimulus that leads to a decreased response
Low grade fears, ideal for very young animals during socialisation

Question 11

How does flodding work in behaviour modification?

Answer 11

Exposure to a fear evoking stimulus with no consequence, preventing escape.
Stimulus not withdraw until pet habituates
DO NOT USE

Question 12

How does response subsititution work in behaviour modification?

Answer 12

An alternative to an existing behaviour
Operant conditioning

Question 13

How does desensitisation occur in behaviour modification?

Answer 13

Place the stimulus along a gradient.
Gradual exposure to the stimulus at levels that do not evoke fear
Pet habituates