Reinforcement in Contingency-Based Learning

Question 1

Thorndike’s Law of Effect states

Answer 1

Behavior -> Satisfying Event = Stamped In

Behavior -> Annoying Event = Stamped Out

Question 2

Skinner introduced what type of learning?

Answer 2

Consequence-based learning

Question 3

Skinnerian Reinforcement is defined as

Answer 3

An increase in target behavior responding due to a contingent relationship between target behavior and a consequence

Question 4

Skinnerian Punishment is defined as

Answer 4

A decrease in target behavior responding due to a contingent relationship between the target behavior and a consequence

Question 5

Primary reinforcers are…?

Answer 5

Natural or unconditional reinforcers such as food, water, sex, shelter.

Question 6

Secondary reinforcers are…?

Answer 6

Conditioned reinforcers such as money, grades, tokens, awards, praise.

Question 7

Parts of Operant Conditioning Paradigm

Answer 7

Antecedent
Behavior
Consequence

Question 8

Operant conditioning terminology: positive

Answer 8

Add a stimulus

Question 9

Operant conditioning terminology: negative

Answer 9

Remove a stimulus

Question 10

Operant conditioning terminology: reinforce

Answer 10

Increase a behavior

Question 11

Operant conditioning terminology: punish

Answer 11

Decrease a behavior

Question 12

A positive punishment would involve…

Answer 12

Adding an aversive to decrease behavior

Question 13

A positive reinforcement would involve…

Answer 13

Adding an appetitive to increase behavior

Question 14

A negative punishment would involve…

Answer 14

Removing an appetitive to decrease behavior

Question 15

A negative reinforcement would involve…

Answer 15

Removing an aversive to increase behavior

Question 16

Two components to “shaping” a behavior:

Answer 16

1. Reinforce successive approximations to required response

2. Non-reinforce earlier response forms

Question 17

“Chaining” involves…

Answer 17

a discriminitive stimulus that leads to a behavior as well as a reinforcing quality of the next event in the chain

Question 18

Four variables affecting reinforcement:

Answer 18

Contingency
Contiguity
Magnitude
Deprivation

Question 19

_ is a good determiner of the strength of conditioning or the effectiveness of association

Answer 19

Extinction

Question 20

_ is an extreme, spontaneous recovery of a “forgotten” association

Answer 20

Extinction burst

Question 21

Hullian / Drive Reduction Theory

Answer 21

Special stimuli that satisfy or reduce a specific drive state act as reinforcers. Sandwiches satisfy hunger state, and so are reinforcing.

Question 22

Problem with Hullian / Drive Reduction Theory:

Answer 22

No explaination for secondary reinforcers

Question 23

Premack’s Relative Value Theory

Answer 23

Behaviors are reinforcing, in contrast to the stimuli. Eating is satisfying, sandwiches only satisfy because they can be eaten.

Question 24

Premack’s Principle / Differential Probability Theory states

Answer 24

High probability behaviors can serve to reinforce Low probability behavior

Question 25

Response Deprivation Theory states

Answer 25

Any behavior deprived below its free-running baseline can serve as a reinforcer

Question 26

Problem with Premack's Relative Value Theory:

Answer 26

No explanation secondary reinforcers | High or low probability behavior is relative to the individual

Question 27

B.F. Skinner was inspired by Thorndike's _ and Watson's _.

Answer 27

The Law of Effect | Behaviorism

Question 28

Four theories of positive reinforcement include:

Answer 28

Hullian / Drive Reduction Theory; Premack's Relative Value Theory; Premack's Differential Probability Theory; Response Deprivation Theory

Question 29

Theories of negative reinforcement:

Answer 29

Avoidance & Escape Theory;

Question 30

Four types of simple contingent reinforcement schedules:

Answer 30

Ratio Interval Duration Differential

Question 31

Tween simple fixed ratio and simple variable ratio, which creates stronger associations?

Answer 31

Variable ratio reinforcement schedule

Question 32

Phenomena associated with fixed ratio reinforcement schedules?

Answer 32

Post reinforcement pause

Question 33

Three explanations for post reinforcement pause:

Answer 33

Fatigue Satiation Feedback loop

Question 34

_ involves teaching an animal to associate an operant reinforcer with a secondary reinforcer.

Answer 34

"Bridging"

Question 35

Differential schedules involves...

Answer 35

providing reinforcement only after a target behavior has been limited or increased to a minimum point

Question 36

Differential reinforcement low aims to...

Answer 36

reduce behavior

Question 37

Differential reinforcement high aims to...

Answer 37

increase behavior

Question 38

Which simple reinforcement schedule results in scalloped response/time graph?

Answer 38

Fixed interval

Question 39

Humphrey's Paradox

Answer 39

Partial reinforcement, found in variable ratio schedules, thin, or stretched schedules, have stronger associative strength than fixed ratio. Extinction takes longer.

Question 40

Theories explaing Humphrey's Paradox

Answer 40

Discrimination Theory Frustration Theory Sequential Theory Response Unit Theory

Question 41

Discrimination Theory states

Answer 41

Partial reinforcement works better bc it's more difficult to distinguish between extinction and interval ratio scheduling.

Question 42

Frustration Theory states

Answer 42

Partial reinforcement works better bc removing frustration of a failed previously reinforced behavior reinforcers that behavior.

Question 43

Sequential Theory states

Answer 43

SSS