Conditioning, Reinforcements & Punishments

Question 1

When do most owners stop training their dog?

Answer 1

After puppy/obedience classes

Question 2

What is the primary associative method that animals learn by?

Answer 2

Conditioning

Question 3

What are the 2 types of conditioning do animals learn by?

Answer 3

1. Classical conditioning
2. Operant conditioning

Question 4

Give another, more common name for Classical conditioning

Answer 4

Associative learning

Question 5

Give another, more common name for Operant conditioning

Answer 5

Trial & Error learning

Question 6

Define what Classical conditioning is

(Associative learning)

Answer 6

When an animal links a stimulus with a behaviour

Question 7

..ding ding!

What was the infamous Classical conditioning study performed in 1897?

Answer 7

Pavlov’s Dogs (1897)

(The bell was rung whenever food was offered and the dog’s made the association between the bell and food, so they expected food whenever the bell was rung and therefore would start to salivate, bell = salivation + food)

Question 8

What 2 things does Classical conditioning method provide an animal with?

Answer 8

The ability to build up:
1. Knowledge
2. Experiences

Question 9

What 2 things does the animal make a connection between, using Classical conditioning?

Answer 9

A link between the Stimulus and the Behavioural response

Question 10

(Yes or No)

With Associative learning, can an animal make a connection between 2 unrelated events?

Answer 10

Yes!

Question 11

Give a basic and simple example of Classical conditioning in dogs between 2 everyday items
+
What those associations are

Answer 11

The collar and lead.
The dog associates these items with:
* Walking
* Exercise outdoors
* An opportunity to explore, play + run

Question 12

‘It’s…. in learning this aspect”

Operant conditioning is also known as ‘Trial & Error Learning’.

Name another common name for this.

Answer 12

Instrumental learning

Question 13

Define what Operant conditioning is

Answer 13

When an animal links a behaviour with a specific outcome, after solving the problem

Question 14

What was the infamous Operant conditioning study performed in 1948?

Answer 14

The Skinner Box Theory, by B.F. Skinner (1948)

(The rats were given light + sound signals in a box, when they touched the right button, they gained postitive reinforcement through recieving food and negative reinforcement via electric shock when they didn’t press the right button. So they associated that particular button would gain treats and the other would cause pain)

Question 15

If the animal experiences a positive outcome, what is likely to happen?

Answer 15

The animal is more likely to repeat that behaviour

(If it is benefical to them and worth their energy)

Question 16

If the animal experiences a negative outcome, what is likely to happen?

Answer 16

The animal is less likely to repeat that behaviour

(As they associate it with harm, injury or pain and thus not benefical)

Question 17

What does the animal require to perform, in order to achieve an outcome?

(Probably with a positive outcome)

Answer 17

Solve a problem or command

Question 18

What is a basic everyday example of Operant conditioning?

Answer 18

Performing a command, given from it’s owner.
Such as performing the commands “sit”,”stay” or “come” = recieve a treat

Question 19

Fill the words in.

“Any stimulus that increases the probability of a desirable behavour is known as …………………… “

Answer 19

Reinforcement

Question 20

Fill the words in.

“Any stimulus that decreases the probability of a undesirable behavour is known as …………………… “

Answer 20

Punishment

Question 21

Define what is meant by the ‘4 Quadrants’ of Operant conditioning

Answer 21

The 4 Quadrants shapes the behaviour that is exhibited after experiencing the outcome, based on its consequences.

For example, encouraging or discouraging certain responses, so that the animal is more likely to change its behaviour to gain the more positive outcome.

Question 22

Name the 4 Quadrants of Operant Conditioning

Answer 22

1. Positive Reinforcement
2. Positive Punishment
3. Negative Reinforcement
4. Negative Punishment

Question 23

Again, what does reinforcement do?

Answer 23

It increases the frequency of the desirable behaviour

Question 24

Again, what does punishment do?

Answer 24

It decreases the frequency of the undesirable behaviour

Question 25

What does Postive reinforcement do to the stimulus?

Answer 25

It applies a stimulus

(Adds a stimulus)

Adding = Positive

Question 26

What does Negative reinforcement do to the stimulus?

Answer 26

It removes the stimulus

Removing = Negative

Question 27

Positive…

What are the 2 polarised ‘positive’ viewpoints of animal training?

Answer 27

1. Positive Punishment
2. Positive Reinforcement

Question 28

Is Positive punishment an Aversive or Positive method?

Answer 28

An Aversive method

Question 29

Is Positive reinforcement an Aversive or Positive method?

Answer 29

A Positive method

Question 30

What are the 2 main reasons for why positive puinishment is not recommended?

Answer 30

Because is:
1. Does not address the root of the behaviour
2. Creates further behavioural consequential problems

Question 31

What 2 controversial things are required in order to make positive punishment effective?

Answer 31

1. Pain
2. Fear

Question 32

What very likely behvaiour will a dog likely exhibit to positive punishment?

Answer 32

Defensive aggression

Question 33

Why would a dog exhibit defensive aggression towards positive punishment?

Answer 33

Because they will put a defensive guard up to protect themselves from anticipation

Question 34

How will positive punishment affect already present problem behaviours?

Answer 34

It will exacerbate and aggravate them, as they become more anxious

Question 35

What will the dog focus on, as a consequence of positive punishment?

Answer 35

They will focus on pain and defending themselves

Question 36

If positive punishment must be used, what 5 things must you consider?

Answer 36

1. Must be when the animal is not fearful or in pain
2. It must be constantly applied, everytime the undesirable behaviour is performed
3. Must occur during or immediately after the undesirable behaviour
4. It must be strong and intense in order to interrupt the undesirable behaviour
5. The animal must not associate the punishment with the owner

No.5 = Can be hard, if the same person who has installed the fear, to start with

Question 37

Name 8 remote punishment devices that can be utilised for positive punishment

Answer 37

1. Electric shock collars
2. Training discs
3. Pebbles or coins in a can or bottle
4. Throw chains
5. Water pistol
6. Sprays
7. Alarms
8. Sedation

Question 38

What are 4 consequential behaviours that could be causative/associated with the use of these devices?

Answer 38

It can/will install:
1. Fear
2. Stress
3. Pain
4. Anxiety

Question 39

What are 4 general problems with the use of remote punishment devices ?

Answer 39

1. They can be misused
2. They can cause pain or distress
3. Animals will associate the shock with whatever it focused on at the time
4. The device could be triggered by external influences, that are not associated with the behaviour

4 - If the animal was focused on the scent of another animal at that time they experienced that device’s use