Behavior/Learning Flashcards
Positive reinforcement
Stimulus applied following a behavior, so the behavior is strengthened as a result
*behavior is increased
Negative reinforcement
Removal of aversive stimulus following a behavior, this leads to increase of the behavior
*behavior increased by avoidance or escape
Positive punishment
Application of an aversive stimulus contingent upon performance of the behavior
*behavior is decreased
Negative punishment
Removal of a pleasant or desirable stimulus contingent upon the behavior
Two Factor Theory
Both classical and operant conditioning maintain phobias
Primary reinforcers
Naturally reinforcing
*e.g. - food, water, sex, some drugs, nurturance
Primary punisher
Naturally punishing
*e.g. - shock, pain, nausea
Secondary reinforcers
Acquire their reinforcing through learning
*e.g. - applause; an A grade, Olympic gold medal, money
Secondary punishers
Acquired through learning
*e.g. - ridicule, banishment from a group, an F grade
Continuous reinforcement
Every instance of the behavior is reinforced
Result: quicker learning but behavior extinguishes more quickly
Intermittent reinforcement
Not every instance of behavior is reinforced
Result: behavior is not learned as quickly but is more resistant to extinction
*if delivered on a variable ratio schedule is most resistant to extinction (e.g. - slot machine that pays off on average every 10X)
Shaping a behavior
Creating new behavior by reinforcing successive approximations of the desired behavior
*e.g. - a child learning to write is praised when she makes a letter, even though it is not formed perfectly
Superstitious behavior
random, non-contingent reinforcement that may lead humans to infer causality
Watson
Emotions can be classically conditioned
*white rat + loud noise = fear
Classical conditioning
Learning in which a natural response is elicited by a condition stimulus (CS), that previously was presented in conjunction with an unconditioned stimulus (CS)
*usually deals w/ involuntary responses
Operant conditioning
Learning in which a particular action is elicited bc it produces a punishment or reward
*usually deals w/ voluntary responses
Male Erectile Disorder
ROS: through classical conditioning, stimuli in a sexual sitch have become assoc w/ anxiety
CS: stimuli in sexual sitch
CR: performance anxiety
Tx: sensate focus
Sensate Focus Exercises
Similar to SD but involving mutual pleasuring exercises rather than muscle relaxation
Aversion Therapy
An unwanted behavior (setting fires) is paired with a painful or aversive stimulus (painful electric shock). An association is created btwn the unwanted behavior and the aversive stimulus and the fire-setting ceases
Pedophilia tx w/ Aversion Therapy
CS is children, previously assoc w/ sexual arousal is paired w/ a US that naturally elicits an unpleasant response, gives the pt greater control over their behavior
*group therapy w/ other perpetrators is good approach
Exposure
Gradual exposure to fearful stimulus (no training in relaxation)
Flooding
Abrupt, prolonged, full intensity exposure to the fearful stimulus
*(caution - it can be counterproductive)
Ritual/response Prevention
Exposure, followed by prevention of the ritualistic avoidance behavior
- first-line tx for OCD
- both classical and operant features
PTSD Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Exposure to fear provoking CS w/o US, simply extinction, which eventually leads to decay of the CS/CR bond and reduction in anxiety