Skinner

Question 1

Skinner’s philosophy is called ____________; Skinner’s theory is called ____________.

Answer 1

• radical behaviorism
• behavioral analysis

Question 2

According to Skinner, people who feel too much real or perceived social control may try to escape from the controlling agent. Identify two possible strategies people might use.

Answer 2

1. revolt
2. passive resistance

Question 3

Skinner was strongly against the use of ________ (____) variables.

Answer 3

intervening (cognitive)

Question 4

Mental states:

Answer 4

(1) Are covert behaviors subjected to same laws of shaping & reinforcement as any overt behavior.
(2) Do not really affect behavior.
(3) Are not needed to explain behavior.
(4) Are beyond scientific study.

Question 5

Skinner&raquo_space;> principle of reinforcement:
(1) We repeat behaviors that lead to _________ consequences.
(2) We do NOT repeat behaviors that lead to __________ consequences.

Answer 5

• pleasant
• unpleasant

Question 6

Origins of personality

Answer 6

• operant conditioning
• Natural selection + evolutionary history
• cultural evolution

Question 7

increase in frequency of response that is regularly
followed by presentation of appetitive stimulus is ________ _____________

Answer 7

positive reinforcement

Question 8

increase in frequency of response that is regularly
followed by termination of aversive stimulus is ____________ _______________

Answer 8

negative reinforcement

Question 9

decrease in frequency of response that
is regularly followed by aversive stimulus is ____________ ___________

Answer 9

positive punishment (aka punishment)

Question 10

decrease in frequency of response
that is regularly followed by termination of appetitive stimulus is _____________ ____________

Answer 10

negative punishment (aka response cost)

Question 11

What are the four types of social control?

Answer 11

1. operant conditioning
2. describing contingencies (eg. laws, rules and customs)
3. Deprivation and satiation
4. physical restraint (eg. jail)

Question 12

What are the 4 types of self control?

Answer 12

1. physically straining oneself (eg. alcoholic wont go to the pub)
2. changing environmental stimuli (eg. alcoholic won’t keep alcohol in the house)
3. Self deprivation/satiation
4. doing something else (eg. jogging instead of drinking)

Question 13

Self-defeating techniques of counteracting (extreme, real) social control (e.g., concentration camp; being forced to go to war):

Answer 13

1- Emitting extremely restraining behavior = lack of response – learned helplessness (behavioral inhibition).
2- Inflicting aversive self-stimulation.

Question 14

Unsuccessful attempts at self-control (= feeling inadequate = aversive) may lead to escape from oneself by:

Answer 14

1- Taking drugs.
2- Blocking out reality (not paying attention to aversive stimuli).
3- Using self-delusion (rationalizing) = defective self-knowledge.