Topic 4: Reinforcement Flashcards
Reinforcement
the process in which the occurrence of a behavior is followed by a consequence that results in an increase in the future probability of the behavior
Consequence
the stimulus or event occurring immediately after a behavior
Operant Behavior
behavior that acts on the environment to produce an immediate consequence and, in turn, is strengthened by that consequence
Reinforcer
a stimulus or event that increases the future probability of a behavior when it occurs contingent on the occurrence of the behavior
Positive Reinforcement
a type of reinforcement in which, contingent on a behavior, a stimulus or event is presented and the probability of the behavior increases in the future
Negative Reinforcement
a type of reinforcement in which the occurrence of the behavior is followed by the removal or avoidance of an aversive stimulus
it results in an increase in the future probability of the behavior
Stimulus
an environmental event that can be detected by one of the senses
Positive Reinforcer
a stimulus that will increase the future probability of a behavior when the stimulus is delivered contingent on the occurrence of the behavior
Aversive Stimulus
a stimulus that will decrease the future probability of a behavior when the stimulus is delivered contingent on the occurrence of the behavior, also called a punisher
Premack Principle
one type of positive reinforcement in which the opportunity to engage in a high-probability behavior is made contingent on the occurrence of a low-probability behavior to increase the low-probability behavior
Escape Behavior
behavior that results in the termination of an aversive stimulus
the termination of aversive stimulus negatively reinforces the behavior
Avoidance Behavior
a behavior that prevents an aversive event
the behavior is negatively reinforced by the avoidance of the aversive event
Unconditioned Reinforcers
a stimulus that is naturally reinforcing because the capacity for our behavior to be strengthened by the stimulus has survival value
no prior conditioning is necessary for an unconditioned reinforcer to be a reinforcer
examples include food, water, escape from extreme stimulation, and sexual contact
Conditioned Reinforcers
a previously neutral stimulus that has been paired a number of times with an established reinforcers and consequently functions as a reinforcer itself
Token
a conditioned reinforcer used in a token economy
the token is something that can be given to another person and accumulated by the person
the token is a conditioned reinforcer because it is given to the person after a desirable behavior and is exchanged for established reinforcers called backup reinforcers
Backup Reinforcers
reinforcers used in a token economy
a client receives tokens for desirable behaviors and exchanges a specified number of token for any of a variety of backup reinforcers
Generalized Conditioned Reinforcer
a conditioned reinforcer that has been paired with a variety of other reinforcers
money and praise generalized are conditioned reinforcers for many people
Response
a response is one instance or occurrence of a particular behavior
Contingency
a relationship between a response and a consequence in which the consequence is presented if and only of the response occurs
when such a relationship exists, the consequence is said to be contingent on the response
Motivating Operations (MO)
an antecedent stimulus or event that alters the value of a reinforcer and alters the probability of the behavior that produces that reinforcer
establishing operations and abolishing operations are two types of MOs
Establishing Operation (EO)
one type of motivation operation, an event that increases the potency of a particular reinforcer at a particular time and evokes the behavior that produces that reinforcer
deprivation is a type of establishing operation
Abolishing Operation (AO)
one type of motivating operation, an event that decreases the potency of a particular reinforcer at a particular time and makes the behavior that produces that reinforcer less likely to occur
satiation is a type of abolishing operation
Deprivation
a condition in which the person has gone without a particular reinforcer for a period of time
deprivation is a type of establishing operation, it makes the reinforcer the person has gone without more potent
Satiation
progressive (and ultimately total) loss of effectiveness of a reinforcer
satiation occurs when you have recently consumed a large amount of a particular reinforcer or when you have had substantial exposure to a reinforcing stimulus
Schedule of Reinforcement
specifies which responses will be followed by delivery of the reinforcer
Continuous Reinforcement (CRF) Schedule
a schedule of reinforcement in which each instance of the behavior is followed by the reinforcer
Intermittent Reinforcement Schedule
a schedule of reinforcement in which not every instance of the behavior is followed by the delivery of the reinforcer
includes fixed ratio, fixed interval, variable ratio, and variable interval schedules