Test 2 Flashcards
Antecedents of behavior
an event that precedes behavior sometimes called a stimulus
What are events that are considered consequences of behavior?
positive reinforcers, punishers, negative reinforcers, neutral stimuli
Contingency
the arrangement b/t behavior and its consequences
Praise only after desired behavior
What are 2 important aspects of the contingency when teaching a new behavior?
Immediacy- how quickly consequence follows the occurrence of the behavior.
Consistency- the more frequently the consequence follows the occurrence of the behavior the more likely the behavior will be learned.
Shaping
using positive reinforcement to differentially reinforce behavior that is closer and closer to the behavior that you want
Topography
the form of behavior
Duration
the length of time the behavior occurs
Frequency
the number of times the behavior occurs
Intensity
the amplitude, force, or loudness of behavior
Latency
time the behavior starts to occur or is completed following a stimulus
Prompting behavior
a way to speed up teaching
-ex. Demonstrations, gestures, etc.
The Premack Principle
an opportunity to engage in a high probability behavior is very likely to be a positive reinforcer for a behavior that has a lower probability of occurrence
3 Requirements to teach new behaviors
- Teach with high fluency level. (behavior has same latency, topography, etc. as behavior of people with average skill)
- Behavior taught in variety of situations.
- New behaviors are reinforced.
Recidivism
the relapse to a previous pattern of behavior that was prevalent prior to the intervention or treatment
Why don’t newly taught behaviors maintain in the natural environment after intervention?
- Newly taught behaviors are not fluent.
- Newly taught behaviors are not sufficiently reinforced in the natural environment.
- Old patterns are still strong.
- Old patterns reinforced more than new behavior.
Modifying existing “natural” systems
social consequences, salary and bonus consequences, biological consequences (ex. for exercise)
Advantages of modifying existing systems
low cost, appears natural
Disadvantages of modifying existing systems
too low frequency of positive consequences; other people need to be taught how to use the modified system; consequences may not be consistent; delayed consequences
Advantages of point or token systems
Effective when other systems do not work; tends to insure consistent consequences for desired behavior
Disadvantages of point or token systems
Need to teach others how to use it; May appear artificial; “bribery”; can be costly
Advantages of scheduled activities
can be very effective when other systems do not work; appears relatively natural
Disadvantages of scheduled activities
Need to teach people to use it; Some reinforcing activities may be difficult to schedule contingently
First step of vocal imitation
Find a positive reinforcer
Second step of vocal imitation
Build up overall rate of vocalizations. Reinforce all of child’s vocalizations to build up high rate of vocalizations.
Third step of vocal imitation
Shaping short latencies b/t the teacher’s model and the child’s vocalizations
Fourth step of vocal imitation
Getting child’s vocalizations to sound like the model’s vocalization (shaping the topography)
