Lesson 5: Motivation Through Consequences

Question 1

Behavior

Answer 1

What people do or say. It is related to but not the same as what one thinks, how one feels, one’s underlying attitude, or overall performance in accomplishing tasks.

Question 2

Off-task behavior

Answer 2

That which typically results in unsuccessful task accomplishment.

Question 3

On-task behavior

Answer 3

That which typically results in successful task accomplishment.

Question 4

Consequence

Answer 4

Anything that follows a behavior (e.g. a person sticks his finger into a light socket and gets shocked. The consequence of the behavior is the shock). A consequence can be “gond” or “had.”

Question 5

Continuous reinforcement schedule

Answer 5

When a reinforcement follows every correct or desired behavior. ‘This results in the quick learning of new behavior, but poor sustained behavior
When the reinforcer is removed.

Question 6

Extinction

Answer 6

(From operant conditioning) When future behavior decreases in frequency because there is no consequence to a current behavior.

Question 7

Fixed interval schedule

Answer 7

(From operant conditioning) When reinforcers are presented after corrected or desired responses on a fixed time schedule (e.g. daily, weekly, monthly, etc.).

Question 8

Fixed Ration Schedule

Answer 8

The presentation of reinforcements after a fixed number of correct of desired responses (e.g., after every third arrest).

Question 9

Law of Effect

Answer 9

A phenomenon that explains why some behaviors are repeated while others stop.

Question 10

Motivation

Answer 10

Anything that provides direction, intensity, and persistence to behavior (Hughes, Ginett & Curphy, p. 370, 2009).

Question 11

Motivation through Consequences (MTC)

Answer 11

A collection of three theories that, in different ways, explain how consequences that follow behavior control that behavior. The three theories are operant conditioning, observation learning (also called social learning or vicarious learning), and self-regulation.

Question 12

Negative reinforcement

Answer 12

A theoretical model originating from psychologist B.F. Skinner that has changed over time. In this lesson it means
“punishment,” Skinner’s original definition.

Question 13

Observational learning (aka vicarious learning and social learning)

Answer 13

A method of learning by watching the behavior of others and the associated consequences. Includes concepts such as vicarious extinction- vicarious learning, vicarious punishment, and vicarious reinforcement.

Question 14

Operant conditioning

Answer 14

An approach to learning and motivation based on the relationship between a person’s behavior and the consequences they subsequently personally experience.

Question 15

Operant response

Answer 15

Any behavioral reaction that someone undertakes voluntarily in response to a demand or cue from her environment.

Question 16

Partial reinforcement schedules

Answer 16

When reinforcements are administered irregularly by either time or by the number of correct or desired responses. This sustains behavior over long periods of time, as compared to continuous reinforcement.

Question 17

Positive reinforcement (aka reward contingency)

Answer 17

The effect of increasing the future, desired behavior by the presentation of a positive or pleasant consequence following current behavior.

Question 18

Reinforcement

Answer 18

Any consequence that increases the occurrence of a behavior in the future.

Question 19

Self-regulation

Answer 19

‘The process of controlling one’s own behavior by comparing one’s behavior to one’s personal standards and subsequently applying internal consequences.

Question 20

Social comparison process

Answer 20

Involves learning by comparing oneself to others.

Question 21

Variable interval schedule

Answer 21

The presentation of reinforcements irregularly around an average time (e.g., after one day, three days, and two days, averaging a reinforcement every two days). This is a powerful way to sustain desired behavior for long periods of time.

Question 22

Variable ratio schedule

Answer 22

The presentation of reinforcements irregularly around an average number of correct or desired responses (e.g., the way a slot machine pays out). This is a powerful way to sustain desired behavior for long periods of time.