Chapter 5: Reinforcement Flashcards
Backward chaining
A chaining procedure in which training begins with the last link in the chain and adds preceding links in reverse order.
Behavior chain
A series of related behaviors, the last of which produces reinforcement.
Chaining
In operant training, the procedure of establishing a behavior chain. (See behavior chain; forward chaining; backward chaining.)
Contrived reinforcer
Any reinforcing event that has been arranged by someone, usually for the purpose of modifying behavior. (C’. natural reinforcer.)
Discrete trials procedure
An operant training procedure in which performance of a behavior defines the end of a trial. (C’. free operant procedure.)
Dopamine
One of the brain’’s major neurotransmitters and one source of a natural high. It is thought to play an important role in reinforcement.
Drive
In Hull’’s theory of reinforcement, a motivational state (such as hunger) caused by a period of deprivation (as of food).
Drive-reduction theory
The theory of reinforcement that attributes a reinforcer’’s effectiveness to the reduction of a drive.
Epinephrine
An important neurotransmitter that is thought to be important in reinforcement. More commonly known as adrenaline.
Escape-avoidance learning
A form of negative reinforcement in which the subject first learns to escape, and then to avoid, an aversive.
Extinction burst
A sudden increase in the rate of behavior during the early stages of extinction.
Forward chaining
A chaining procedure in which training begins with the first link in the chain and adds subsequent links in order. (C’. backward chaining.)
Free operant procedure
An operant training procedure in which a behavior may be repeated any number of times. (C’. discrete trials procedure.)
Generalized reinforcer
Any secondary reinforcer that has been paired with several different reinforcers.
Law of effect
The statement that behavior is a function of its consequences. So called because the strength of a behavior depends on its past effects on the environment. Implicit in the law is the notion that operant learning is an active process because it is usually the behavior of the organism that, directly or indirectly, produces the effect.
Motivating operation
Anything that establishes conditions that improve the effectiveness of a reinforcer. Also called establishing operation.
Natural reinforcer
Any reinforcing event that follows automatically (naturally) from a behavior. (C’. contrived reinforcer.)
Negative reinforcement
A reinforcement procedure in which a behavior is followed by the removal of, or a decrease in the intensity of, a stimulus. Sometimes called escape training. (C’. positive reinforcement; punishment.)
Negative reinforcer
Any stimulus that, when removed following a behavior, increases or maintains the strength of that behavior.
One-process theory
The view that avoidance and punishment involve only one procedure—operant learning. (C’. two-process theory.)
Operant learning
Any procedure in which a behavior becomes stronger or weaker (e.g., more or less likely to occur), depending on its consequences. Also called instrumental learning. See also law of effect.
Positive reinforcement
A reinforcement procedure in which a behavior is followed by the presentation of, or an increase in the intensity of, a stimulus. Sometimes called reward training, although the term reward is problematic. (C’. negative reinforcement.)
Positive reinforcer
Any stimulus that, when presented following a behavior, increases or maintains the strength of that behavior.
Premack principle
The observation that high-probability behavior reinforces low-probability behavior.