Psy exam 3

Question 1

Primary (unconditioned) reinforcer

Answer 1

a consequence that functions as a reinforcer bc it is important in sustaining the life of the individual or the continuation of the species. Examples… food, water, sleep, oxygen.

Question 2

Secondary (conditioned) reinforcer

Answer 2

consequences that function as reinforcers only after learning has occurred. (previously neutral before learning occurs)

Question 3

Generalized conditioned reinforcers

Answer 3

conditioned reinforcer that has been associated with different reinforcers. examples…money;tokens.

Question 4

Token Economy

Answer 4

a system of formal contingencies for earning and exchanging reinforcers, based on conditioned reinforcers.

Question 5

Tokens

Answer 5

conditioned reinforcers that can be accumulated and exchanged for other reinforcers at a later time.

Question 6

Backup reinforcer

Answer 6

The reinforcer provided after the conditioned reinforcer signals the delay reduction to its delivery. Make sure to use an effective backup reinforcer, the more preferable it is the better the conditioned reinforcer will be. these are used in token economies, so the token would be the conditioned reinforcer, whereas the activity that they get for turning in the tokens, would be the backup reinforcer

Question 7

Shaping

Answer 7

reinforcement of successive approximations to a terminal behavior. start with initial behavior, work through intermediate to get to the end goal, the terminal behavior.

Question 8

How is differential reinforcement used in shaping?

Answer 8

involves reinforcing the desired behavior and extinguishing previously reinforced behaviors. present an unconditioned or conditioned reinforcer only to responses that successively approximate the terminal behavior.

Question 9

Punisher

Answer 9

a contingent consequence that DECREASES the future probability of a behavior below its pre-punishment level. (A reinforcer increases future probability)

Question 10

Positive punishment

Answer 10

Presentation of a stimulus contingent on a response that results in a decrease in the frequency or future probability of the response. Something aversive is ADDED. some common ones are pain, loud noise, “no” or “stop”.

Question 11

Negative punishment

Answer 11

the contingent REMOVAL, reduction, or prevention of a reinforcer; the effect of which decreases the future probability of the behavior below its no-punishment level. Something preferred is removed after a behavior. Neg punishment is not extinction. examples… Fines, time -out, being ignored.

Question 12

Punishment is more effective when…

Answer 12

-it is introduced at moderate to high intensity
-punishers are delivered immediately after response
-deliver consequence every time behavior occurs
-ensure no one else is reinforcing the behavior
-reinforcement for alternative responses is provided
-select effective & appropriate punishers
-combine punishment w/ other interventions
-watch for side effects
-provide response prompts and reinforcement for alternative behaviors
-record, graph data daily

Question 13

Response cost

Answer 13

Something preferred is removed contingent on a behavior, for example; parking ticket, fees for something overdue, tokens.

Question 14

Overcorrection

Answer 14

Restore the environment to how it was prior to the behavior occuring. can include restitution- making the environment better then it was before.

Question 15

Continuous reinforcement

Answer 15

reinforcer follows after every response. example…hand raising during class.

Question 16

Establishing operations (EO)

Answer 16

Value altering= increase in the reinforcing effectiveness of a stimulus.
Behavior altering= increase in behaviors that have been reinforced by that stimulus.

Question 17

example of an EO

Answer 17

you haven’t eaten anything since breakfast, which will increase the value of food as a reinforcer.

Question 18

Abolishing operations (AO)

Answer 18

Value altering= decrease of the reinforcing effectiveness of a stimulus.
Behavior altering= decrease in behaviors that have been reinforced by that stimulus.

Question 19

Noncontingent reinforcement (NCR)

Answer 19

reinforcer delivered regardless of responding, reinforcer delivered based on a passage of time.

Question 20

Fixed Ratio schedule (FR)

Answer 20

reinforcer is contingent on a FIXED number of responses, and the response requirement stays the same. for example, every 3x a child touches his nose, you reinforce the behavior. This has a STAIR STEP effect of responding.

Question 21

Variable Ratio schedule (VR)

Answer 21

reinforcer is contingent on a VARIABLE number of responses, the response requirement varies. for example, about every 5x your dog gives you his paw, you reinforce the behavior. This creates HIGH and STEADY rates of response. (creates the highest rate of responding)

Question 22

Fixed Interval Schedule (FI)

Answer 22

reinforcer delivered after a FIXED amount of time. for example, FI 4min- the first response AFTER the 4 minute interval of time gets reinforced. This creates a scallop pattern of responding.

Question 23

Variable Interval Schedule (VI)

Answer 23

reinforcer delivered after a VARIABLE amount of time. For example, VI 4 min- first response after ABOUT a 4-minute interval gets reinforced. This creates moderate stable rates of responding.

Question 24

Breakpoints and how to use them to determine reinforcer efficacy

Answer 24

the maximum amount of behavior the reinforcer will maintain, so, if the breakpoint for soda is 6 responses, but is 20 responses for tacos, TACOS are the more effective reinforcer because the behavior was displayed longer than was for soda.

Question 25

What makes reinforcers more effective?

Answer 25

1. Quality: varies from person to person
2. Size: large enough but not too large that is satiated
3. Contingency.
4. Immediacy.

Question 26

Reinforcement vs Punishment

Answer 26

Reinforcement increases in operant behavior as a function of its consequences, and responding becomes more probable and decreases in the future. Punishment decreases operant behavior as a function of its consequences, and responding becomes less
probable and increases in the future.

Question 27

Positive punishment procedures

Answer 27

-Contingent directives: anytime someone does something they shouldn’t, you give them new demands.
-Response interruption and redirection (RIRD): behavior interrupted, and demands delivered that are incompatible with problem behavior
-Overcorrection
-Positive practice

Question 28

Negative punishment procedures

Answer 28

-Time out (non-exclusionary and exclusionary)
-Response cost

Question 29

Ratio vs Interval schedules

Answer 29

Ratio= NUMBER of responses
Interval=passage of TIME

Question 30

Fixed ratio (FR) pattern

Answer 30

break and run/ stair step. once responding starts, it occurs at a fairly steady rate.

Question 31

Variable ratio (VR) pattern

Answer 31

high, stable rates of responding. Creates the highest rate.

Question 32

Fixed interval (FI) pattern

Answer 32

scallop, low levels of responding after the reinforcer is delivered, and responding gradually increases as the interval elapses.

Question 33

Variable interval (VI) pattern

Answer 33

moderate, stable rates of responding.

Question 34

What steps can you take to break a bad habit?

Answer 34

1. identify a habit, and behavior to replace it.
2. identify the antecedents that evoke the habit.
3. replace those antecedents with stimuli that evoke your replacement behavior
4. set a goal that is relatively low for the replacement behavior.
5. contract the intrinsic reinforcers for the replacement behavior.
6. gradually increase your goal!

Question 35

How are habits formed?

Answer 35

They are formed when an operant response has been repeatedly reinforced many many times in the presence of an antecedent stimulus.