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.