Unit 3 study guide Flashcards
Definition of establishing operation (EO)
An environmental and/or biological event that
(1) temporarily increases the value of a specific reinforcer and
(2) increases the probability of behaviors yielding that reinforcer.
Example of an establishing operation (EO)
- Depriving an individual of any primary reinforcer or an operant behavior is an EO.
- Getting a sunburn –> temporarily increases the use of aloe vera.
Definition of motivating operation (MO)
an environmental and/or biological event that
(1) temporarily alters the value of a specific reinforcer and
(2) increases/decreases the probability of behaviors yielding that reinforcer.
Example of a motivating operation (MO)
Food deprivation. This MO increases the probability of food-seeking, food preparing and food eating behaviors. Each of these actions are ultimately reinforced when food passes the lips.
Definition of an abolishing operation (AO)
an environmental and/or biological event that
(1) temporarily decreases the value of a specific reinforcer and
(2) decreases the probability of behaviors yielding that reinforcer.
Example of an abolishing operation (AO)
A stomach full of food. Temporarily decreases the reinforcing value of food.
What is a reinforcer survey?
A structured interview or written survey that asks the individual to identify highly preferred activities.
Why is a reinforcer survey used?
To identify potential reinforcers.
What is a stimulus preference assesement?
A rank ordered list of preferred stimuli is obtained by observing choices between those stimuli.
Why is a stimulus preference assessment used?
to identify reinforcers to use in behavior interventions to reduce problem behavior.
What is a preference hierarchy
a list of stimuli ranked ordered from most to least preferred
Define the Premack principle
- Involves offering a pleasurable incentive in exchange for completing an unpleasurable task.
- EX) You get ice cream if you eat your vegtables.
What is a breakpoint?
the maximum amount of behavior the reinforcer will maintain
What does a breakpoint tell us about a reinforcer’s efficacy?
The harder the break point to reach, the more effective it is.
ex) Cocaine’s breakpoint was about four times higher than chlorphentermine’s; that is, the baboons participating in this study worked four times as hard for a cocaine reinforcer than for chlorphentermine. Therefore, we may conclude that cocaine is four times as reinforcing – it maintained four times as much behavior.
Four dimensions of reinforcer efficacy
- contingency
- reinforcer size
- reinforcer quality
- reinforcer immediacy
Define contigency
- If I do the dishes –> THEN I can play my video game
- if you cheat on this self-imposed contingency, allowing yourself to play video games despite a sink full of dirty dishes, then video game access will fail to function as a reinforcer. Your reinforcer has faltered on the dimension of contingency.
Define reinforcer size
- Larger reinforcers are more effective than smaller reinforcers.
- The larger the reinforcer, the sooner satiation will occur.
Define reinforcer quality
The subjective value of a reinforcer, which can vary from one individual to the next.
Define reinforcer immediacy
Reinforcement should be given as soon after the target behavior as possible.
What is a habit? How are they formed?
- operant behavior that is (1) evoked by antecedent stimuli and (2) persists despite the imposition of an AO.
- when an operant response has been repeatedly reinforced, hundreds, if not thousand of times in the presence of the same antecedent stimulus.
List 5 strategies for forming good habits, or getting rid of bad habits (hint: its linear and summer cant say the word from step 1)
- Find the antecedents that evoke bad habits
- Replace them with stimuli that will, one day, evoke a good habit.
- Set the bar very low.
- Experience the self esteem building intrinsic reinforcers that can only be sampled when we engage in the desired behavior.
- Gradually increase the daily goal, remembering to keep it easy.
Definition of a punisher
A contingent consequence that decreases the future probability of behavior below its pre-punishment level.
Definition of a punishment
The process or procedure whereby a punisher decreases the future probability of an operant response.
Difference between positive punishment and negative punishment
- The contingent presentation of a consequence that decreases the future probability of the behavior below its no punishment level.
- The contingent removal, reduction, or prevention of a reinforcer; the effect of which decreases the future probability of the behavior below its no-punishment level.
