topic 8

Question 1

shaping aka differential reinforcement of successive approximations of a behaviour.

Answer 1

reinforcing certain variations in behaviour that are closer to our goal than we are presently. reinforced variations are selected for-> become more likely to occur in the future. None reinforced variations are selected against -> become less likely to occur in the future. a behaviour that a person typically does not currently exhibit (a novel behaviour), reinstating a behaviour that had previously occurred but does not currently occur, or a change in dimension of an existing behaviour.

Question 2

behavioural selection

Answer 2

behaviour is changed by the consequences they produce in the environment. i.e., behaviours become more or less likely to occur in the future based on how well they work when we use them.

Question 3

successive approximations

Answer 3

the steps between the starting behaviour and the target behaviour.

Question 4

shaping procedure

Answer 4

reinforce approximations that get us closer to the target behaviour while not reinforcing behaviours that don’t. previous approximations are no longer reinforced ( extinction).

Question 5

important points in shaping

Answer 5

-approximations should not be too big or too small.
-use continuous reinforcement during acquisition and switch to intermittent for maintenance.
-immediate reinforcement is best
small or conditioned reinforcers are often preferred (prevents satiation)
-skip ahead when possible, and go back when necessary

Question 6

Marking the behaviour/ “Clickers”

Answer 6

used so that an immediate conditionally reinforcing consequence is provided. aids learning by providing immediate reinforcement and preventing accidental reinforcement of other behaviours

Question 7

behaviour (stimulus response) chains

Answer 7

a complex behaviour consisting of two or more component behaviours that occur together in a sequence. each component of the chain has a SD and a corresponding response to that SD. Each response creates a new situation that functions as an SD for the next response.

Question 8

task analysis

Answer 8

breaking down a task into its component elements. Prior to chaining, subject must be capable of each component. revise as necessary.

Question 9

forward chaining

Answer 9

1. reinforce performance of first component (repeat until behaviour is performed reliably)
2. reinforce performance of 1st two components (repeat until behaviour is performed reliably)
3. continue until whole chain is completed before reinforcement delivered after terminal (end) behaviour

Question 10

backward chaining

Answer 10

1. reinforce performance of last component (repeat until behaviour occurs reliably)
2. reinforce performance of last 2 components (repeat until behaviour is performed reliably)
3. continue until whole chain is completed before reinforcement delivered after terminal (end) behaviour

Question 11

total task presentation

Answer 11

use prompting to get the learner to perform the whole chain from start to finish. uses graduated guidance.