2: Positive Reinforcement Flashcards
What is the difference between contingency and (temporal) contiguity?
Contingency relates to the statistical relationship between the R and the Rft. What is the frequency of Rft paired w R?
(Temporal) contiguity refers the rapidity of the the Rft following the R
What is Thorndyke’s law of effect?
Rewards increase associated behaviour whereas punishment decreases associated behaviour.
Define omission training and avoidance learning, also part of Thorndyle’s law of effect
Omission training: Behaviour prevents a desired (appetitive) S, therefore decreasing the R
Avoidance learning: Behaviour prevents an undesired (aversive) S, therefore increasing the R
Define +ve and -ve contingency, and explain how they operate within Thorndyke’s law of effect.
+ve contingency increases R, whereas -ve contingency decreases response.
+ve contingency results in an outcome: either appetitive or aversive, a +ve reward or punishment.
-ve contingency prevents an outcome: either appetitive or aversive, a -ve reward or punishment.
Previously neutral stimuli may acquire reinforcing properties. These become known as…
Give an example involving humans and one involving dogs
Secondary reinforcers.
Money is a 2ndary Rft for humans.
The clicker is a 2ndary Rft for dogs to do tricks, food is the primary Rft
Describe the process of shaping
The first reward is given for any action which approximates the desired behaviour, and subsequent rewards are only given when a more exaggerated form of the same behaviour is displayed.
Define ‘superstitious’ behaviour
When rewards are given to the wrong kind of behaviour during shaping, superstitious behaviour can emerge
Explain the role of extinction in shaping
As behavioural shaping evolves, previous (less exaggerated) behaviour is forced into extinction as it is no longer reinforced
Define response chaining and give an example
Response chaining is a chain of responses triggered by environmental cues
eg: S–> sight of lever–> feel of lever–> sound of lever–> Food!
Define fixed and variable ratio and interval schedules of Rft
Ratio
Fixed: Rft every 5 responses
Variable: Rft on AVERAGE every 5 R
Interval
Fixed: Rft delivered on 1st R after 5 seconds has elapsed since last Rft
Variable: Mean=5 seconds
Give an example of a strategic situation to use ratio scheduling
Completion of household chores. Rft decreasing in FRQY to ensure continuation of R
Give an example of a common scenario for interval scheduling, and a strategy for the subject to counter train
Nagging. eg it’s been 3 days since you last did the dishes, now I’ll nag again.
Reducing the behaviour the nagger is requesting the more often they nag would force them to reduce nagging. -ve Rft
Zero contingency between R and Rft is known as. What happens to the R?
Extinction. R tends to decline.
