Training 6: Aggression

Question 1

aggression

Answer 1

general term used for a wide variety of acts that involve attack, hostility, etc.

Question 2

maternal aggression

Answer 2

when a mother attacks or threatens any perceived threat to her offspring

Question 3

frustration induced aggression

Answer 3

aggression is a natural response to frustration in all species

Question 4

defensive aggression

Answer 4

occurs when an animal is threatened or attacked - as soon as threat/attack ceases, so does the aggressions

Question 5

pain-induced aggression

Answer 5

caused by physical pain

Question 6

predatory aggression

Answer 6

part of foraging behavior of carnivores and omnivores - the act of eating (cross species)

Question 7

territorial aggression

Answer 7

occurs in species that hold territory - usually only directed towards members of the same species who enter the territory

Question 8

dominance aggression

Answer 8

aimed at maintaining our advancing status - almost always between males

Question 9

learned aggression

Answer 9

occurs because it is reinforced

Question 10

two types of learned aggression

Answer 10

1) approach-induced aggression
2) avoidance-induced aggression

Question 11

approach-induced aggression

Answer 11

occurs when an animal learns that an aggressive response results in positive reinforcement
e.g. recall game

Question 12

avoidance-induced aggression

Answer 12

occurs when an animal learns that an aggressive response results in negative reinforcement
e.g. netting and restraints

Question 13

redirected/displaced aggression

Answer 13

taking out aggression on another person/animal that is caused by another stimulus

Question 14

stimulus delta

Answer 14

signal signifying that something is about to occur but isn’t an sD

Question 15

what can stimulus deltas lead to in training

Answer 15

1) frustration
2) lack of motivation
3) aggression

Question 16

examples of accidental stimulus deltas that have developed in our training program

Answer 16

• letting bridge fall out of mouth
• having guests put hands down
  (tells animal they won’t be reinforced)

Question 17

ways we can prevent stimulus deltas from occurring

Answer 17

1) redirecting
2) reinforce calm exit/LRS
3) reinforce in correct context

Question 18

precursors

Answer 18

behavior response which indicates that a response or response class will follow

Question 19

precursor example: Ding

Answer 19

before D would swat a swimmer, she will line up and wind up

Question 20

what happens if we extinguish precursors?

Answer 20

“flash aggression” - won’t know when the animal is gonna aggress which makes it hard to prevent

Question 21

recall

Answer 21

sending or retrieving an animal from one point of station to another through the use of a conditioned stimulus

Question 22

the most reinforcing behavior in an animals repitoure

Answer 22

recall

Question 23

how do we make the recall the most reinforcing without becoming a bridge?

Answer 23

timing and placement

Question 24

tools for maintaining a recall

Answer 24

1) rehearse often
2) utilize positive recalls
3) balance reinforcement to when the animal is doing the correct behavior
4) use a variety off reinforcers (motivating operators)
5) don’t overuse it

Question 25

tools for preventing aggression

Answer 25

1) LRS, recall, or redirection
2) recognizing motivations, triggers, and precursors
3) use good antecedent arrangement (socials, set ups, reinforcement proximity)
4) maintain foundational behaviors well

Question 26

errorless learning

Answer 26

training method where prompting and redirection techniques are employed to ensure no errors occur during the shaping (learning) phase

Question 27

when should you use negative punishment?

Answer 27

only extreme circumstances

Question 28

pros and cons of negative punishment

Answer 28

pro: can be effective to create black and white consequences (criteria)

con: can create more problems

Question 29

5 aspects of working a social

Answer 29

1) balance of reinforcement
2) negative reinforcement
3) end on a positive
4) establish and feed submissive first
5) avoid end of session signals

Question 30

socials: balancing of reinforcement example

Answer 30

reinforcing animals for working well together if they don’t find eachother reinforcing
OR
reinforcing animals for working independently if they find being together extremely reinforcing

Question 31

socials: negative reinforcement example

Answer 31

sending an animal away (e.g. to b pt)

Question 32

socials: ending on a positive example

Answer 32

ending two animals apart who worked well together in session if they don’t find one another reinforcing

Question 33

socials: how to avoid end of session signals

Answer 33

• stationing and step back plans
• be aware of end of session situation

Question 34

socials: why feed and establish the submissive first

Answer 34

if dominant is fed first, they claim the trainer and won’t let the submissive participate and sit