Theories and Applications of Reinforcement

Question 1

What are the two questions a theory of reinforcement must answer?

Answer 1

1. the identity of a reinforcer - what makes something a reinforce & how can we predict whether something will be an effective reinforcer
2. the mechanism of reinforcement effects - how does a reinforcer produce its effects?

Question 2

What is the issue with the law of effect?

Answer 2

can predict the effects of instrumental conditioning but not why it happens

Question 3

What is the drive reduction theory?

Answer 3

focus is homeostasis - e.g. one must maintain a stable supply of nutrients to survive - food is effective as a reinforcer because it reduces hunger drive… what makes a stimulus reinforcing is its effectiveness in reducing a drive state

Question 4

How can the drive reduction theory be extended to reinforcers that do not satisfy a biological drive?

Answer 4

pairing primary with secondary reinforcers

Question 5

What instances of reinforcement can the drive theory not explain

Answer 5

sensory reinforcement - e.g. music, beautiful paintings & other works of art are examples of this

Question 6

Discuss David Premack’s theory/reinforcers as responses

Answer 6

he considered situations such as a rat pressing a lever for food, but instead of thinking of the reinforcer as a pell of food he thought of it was the act of eating - NOT what makes food a reinforcing stimulus but RATHER what makes eating a reinforcing response

Question 7

What is the Premack principle

Answer 7

the opportunity to perform a higher probability response (e.g. play on swings) will serve as a reinforcer for the lower probability response (attend reading class)

Question 8

What are some problems with the Premack principle

Answer 8

1. assigning a precise numerical value to the probability of a response is difficult
2. it is merely a formula to identify reinforcers - does not tell us how these work

Question 9

What is the response deprivation hypothesis

Answer 9

difference b/w instrumental and reinforcer responses is that the subject has free access to the instrumental response (lever pressing) but access to the reinforcer response (eating) is restricted (response deprivation)

Question 10

What is a contradiction to the Premack principle by the response deprivation hypothesis?

Answer 10

says that even low-probability responses can be used to reinforced high probability behaviour if access is restricted below its baseline rate

Question 11

What are the two theories that provide answers to the question - what makes something effective as a reinforcer?

Answer 11

premack priciple & response deprivation hypothesis

Question 12

Discuss the behavioural regulation approach

Answer 12

e.g. for every one minute doing a desirable behaviour, have to do an undesirable behaviour

Question 13

What is token economy?

Answer 13

the principle of conditioned reinforcement is used in an attempt to improve the behaviours of entire groups of individuals

Question 14

What do all token economies have in common?

Answer 14

each individuals can earn tokens by performing any of a number of different desired behaviours and can later exchange these tokens for a variety of ‘backup’ or primary reinforcers

Question 15

Discuss an early study by Shaefer and Martin on token economies in schizophrenic patients

Answer 15

• 40 adult female patients diagnosed chronic schizophrenics
• appeared apathetic & lacked interest and motivation
• sought to determine if the contingent delivery of tokens for more varied and normal behaviours would improve behaviour
• control group supply of tokens regardless of behaviour - experimental group reinforced with tokens for specific behaviour
• tokens used to purchase necessities/luxuries

Question 16

What are the long-term benefits from token economies?

Answer 16

patients exposed to a token economy have been found to need less medication, spend less time in hospital & remain out of hospital longer once released

Question 17

Discuss the problem with maintaining behaviour

Answer 17

the greatest problem has proved to be maintaining these gains when the reinforcement program is terminated

Question 18

What are some tactics for encouraging maintenance?

Answer 18

1. partial reinforcement
2. reinforcing in a variety of settings
3. fading out the program gradually rather than terminating it abruptly