Reinforcement Flashcards
Reinforcement
the process in which a behavior is strengthened by the immedi- ate consequence that reliably follows its occurrence. When a behavior is strength- ened, it is more likely to occur again in the future.
How is reinforcement defined?
- Occurance of a particular behavior
- Followed by immediate consequence
- This results in the strengthening of that behavior.
Operant Behavior
A behavior that is strengthened through the process of reinforcement
Reinforcer
the consequence that strengthens an operant behavior
Reinforce Behavior not people
You do not reinforce people, only their behavior.
What are the two types of reinforcement?
- Positive
- Negative
(Both increase the probability that behavior will occur in the future
Positive Reinforcement
- Occurance of behavior
- followed by addition of stimulus (reinforcer) an increase in the intensity of stimulus
- This results in the strengthening of the behavior
Negative enforcement
- Occurance of behavior
- followed by the removal of stimulus (an aversive stimulus) or a decrease in the intensity of a stimulus
- This results om the strengthening of the behavior.
Stimulus
Object or event that can be detected by one of the senses, and thus has the potential to influence the person (stimuli being plural for stimulus) my feature physical or social environment
Positive reinforcer
stimulus that appears after the behavior. (often something pleasant or desirable, something the person will try to get)
Aversive stimulus
the stimulus that is removed or avoided after the behavior. (often something unpleasant, painful or annoying) something the person will try to avoid
Difference between positive and negative reinforcement
Positive - response produces a stimulus (positive reinforcer)
Negative - Response removes or prevents occurance of a stimulus (aversive stimulus)
BOTH CASES BEHAVIOR IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN THE FUTURE.
What is negative reinforcement not
PUNISHMENT
Social reinforcement
WHen a behavior produces a reinforcing consiquence through the actions of another person
Automatic reinforcement
WHen a behavior produces a reinforcing consequence through direct contact with the physical environment
Escape Premack Principle
One type of positive reinforcement involves the opportunity to engage in a high-probability behavior (a preferred behavior) as a consequence for a low- probability behavior (a less-preferred behavior), to increase the low-probability behavior (Mitchell & Stoffelmayr, 1973). This is called the Premack principle (Premack, 1959). For example, the Premack principle operates when parents require their fourth-grade son to complete his homework before he can go outside to play with his friends. The opportunity to play (a high-probability behavior) after the completion of the homework (low-probability behavior) reinforces the behavior of doing homework; that is, it makes it more likely that the child will complete his homework
Escape Behavior
Occurrence of a behavior results in the termination of an aversive stimulus that was already present when the behavior occurred. (that is the person escapes from the aversive stimulus by engaging in a particular behavior
Avoidance behavior
Occurance of the behavior prevents aversive stimulus from occurring. That is the person avoids the aversive stimulus by engaging in a particular behavior, and the behavior is strengthened. (see page 74 if unsure)
Unconditioned reinforces
food, water and sexual stimulation (biologically conditioned)
Conditioned reinforcer
(also known as a secondary reinforcer) is a stimulus that was once neutral, but became established as a reinforcer by being pared with an unconditioned reinforcer or an already established conditioned reinforcer. e.g. money
Token
tool used to modify human behavior
Generalized conditional reinforcer
When a conditioned reinforcer is paired with a wide variety of other reinforcers e.g. money.
Factors that influence effectiveness of behavior
- Immediacy and consistency of consequence
- motivating operations
- magnitude of the reinforcer
- individual differences.
Immediacy of reinforcment
the time between the occurrence of a behavior and the reinforcing consequence is important. For a consequence to be most effective as a reinforcer, it should occur immediately after the response occurs.The longer the delay the less effective due to a weaker connection between the two
Contingency
If a response is consistently followed by an immediate consequence, that conse- quence is more likely to reinforce the response. When the response produces the consequence and the consequence does not occur unless the response occurs first
Motivating operations
Soe events can make a perticular consiquence more or less reinforcing at some times that at other times. this alters the value of a reinforcer
What are the two types or (MOs) Motivating operations
- Establishing operation (EO)
- Abolishing operation (AO)
Establishing Operation (EO)
makes a renforcer more potent (established the effectiveness of a reinforcer
Abolishing Operation (AO)
makes a reinforcer less potent (abolished or decreases the effectiveness of a reinforcer)
What is a type of (EO) establishing operation
Deprivation
Schedule of reinforcement
specifies whether every response is followed by a reinforcer or whether only some responses are followed.
Continious reinforcement schedule (CRF schedule)
each occurrence of a response is reinforced
Intermittent reinforcement schedule
each occurrence of a response is not reinforced, rather they are occasionally or intermittently reinforced.
Acquisition
Person is acquiring a new behavior with the use of CRF continuous reinforcement schedule
Maintenance
The behavior is maintained over time with the use of intermittent reinforcement
Fixed Ratio Schedule (FR)
The delivery pf the reinforcer is based on the number of responses that occur
Variable ration (VR) schedule
The number of responses needed for reinforcement varies each time, around an average number
Fixed Interval (FI) schedule
A response is reinforced only if it occurs after an interval of time has passed. (does not matter how many times responses occur) The interval time is fixed, or stays the same each time.
Variable Interval Schedule (VI)
each time interval is a different length. The interval varies around an average time
Fixed Ratio
Reinforcer delivered after a certain number of responses. Produces high rate of behavior, with a pause after reinforcemen
Variable Ratio
Reinforcer delivered after an average of x responses. Produces a high and steady rate of behavior, with no pause after reinforcement.
Fixed Interval
Reinforcer delivered for the first response that occurs after a fixed interval of time. Produces a low rate of behavior, with an on-and-off pattern. The response rate increases near the end of the interval.
Variable interval
Reinforcer delivered for the first response that occurs after a variable interval of time. Produces a steady, low-to-moderate rate of behavior, with no on-and-off pattern.
Concurrent schedules of reinforcement
All of the schedules of reinforcement that are in effect for a persons behaviors at one time.
Concurrent operants
Number of different behaviors or response options are concurrently available for the person.
