Chapter 4 Flashcards
Reinforcement
first behavior must occur followed by results and end with a consequence that strengthens the behavior
When we say the reinforcement strengthens the behavior what do we mean?
That it increases the behavior to most likely happen again
Present = behavior followed by a _______
Future = behavior ____ ____ to occur
consequence
most likely
What are the effects of reinforcement
increases frequency
increases duration
increases quickness
decreases latency
What is operant behavior
behavior that is strengthed through reinforcement (the action); meaning you’re more likely to repeat it if it leads to something good and less likely to repeat it if it leads to something bad
What is a reinforcer?
A consequence that happens after the behavior
What do positive and negative reinforcement have in common?
They both make behavior more likely to happen in the future
What is positive reinforcement?
The behavior is followed by an addition of a reinforcer which strengthens it, so the addition of something good after the behavior that makes you more likely to do it. Ex: you study and get 100, now you’re more likely to study
What is negative reinforcement?
The behavior is followed by the removal of a stimulus/punishment/something you don’t like, and the behavior is strengthened. Ex: Example: You have an itchy mosquito bite, so you scratch it to make the itch go away. This makes you more likely to scratch again next time you feel itchy.
What does negative reinforcement create and what do they mean?
Escape: A behavior that stops something unpleasant while IN THE MOMENT, making you more likely to do it again. (Example: You step into the rain, realize you’re getting wet, and open an umbrella.)
Avoidance: A behavior that prevents something unpleasant before it happens, making you more likely to do it again. (Example: You check the weather and bring an umbrella so you don’t get wet in the first place.)
Social reinforcement
when behavior produces a reinforcing consequence through the actions of another person
Automatic reinforcement
behavior itself produces a reinforcing consequence without someone else delivering it
Primary/Unconditioned reinforcers
things that are naturally important for survival or well-being, like food, water, or warmth.
Conditioned/secondary reinforcers
things we learn to value because they’ve been paired with something we already find rewarding.
Example: Money isn’t naturally rewarding, but because it’s linked to things we want (like food or toys), it becomes a reinforcer.
What are conditioned generalized reinforcers
Money, praise, token. can be used to get other rewards, both basic ones (primary reinforcers) and learned ones (secondary reinforcers).
Example: Money can be used to buy food (a primary reinforcer) or tickets to a concert (a conditioned reinforcer).
Conditioned reinforcers are known as
secondary reinforcers
Unconditioned reinforcers are known as
primary reinforcers
Factors that influence reinforcement
immediacy, consistency/contingency, motivating operations, individual differences, intensity of stimuli
How does immediacy affect reinforcement
the timing between the behavior and the delivery of the consequence. should be about half a second
How does consistency/contingency affect reinforcement
a behavior must happen first, followed by a consequence that either adds something good (reinforcement) or removes something bad (punishment) to strengthen or weaken the behavior.
How do motivating operations affect reinforcement
An event that occurs before the behavior that can alter the value of reinforcers
What is EO
Establishing operation: it makes a reinforcer more valuable and makes the behavior more likely to happen.
What is deprivation and is it linked to EO or AO
It is linked to EO and it is when someone hasn’t had this reinforcer in a while which makes the reinforcer more valuable
What is AO
Abolishing operation: makes a reinforcer less valuable and makes the behavior less likely to happen
