Chapter 4 Reinforcement Reinforcement Is a basic principle

Chapter 4 Reinforcement

Reinforcement: Is a basic principle of behavior Was established by Skinner in laboratory research and over 40 years of human research Is a component of many behavior modification procedures

Defining Reinforcement 1. 2. 3. The occurrence of a behavior Results immediately in a consequence The behavior is strengthened (more likely to occur again in the future in similar circumstances) Present ----> Behavior is followed by a consequence Future ----> Behavior is more likely to occur ** Functional definition of reinforcement

Effects of Reinforcement on Behavior Increase in frequency Increase in duration Increase in intensity Increase in quickness (decrease in latency)

What is Operant Behavior? Behavior that is strengthened through the process of reinforcement behavior that is controlled by its consequences

What is a Reinforcer? The consequence (stimulus or event) that follows operant behavior & strengthens operant behavior

Two types of reinforcement Positive reinforcement Negative reinforcement Both positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement strengthen behavior - make the behavior more likely to occur in the future

What is Positive Reinforcement? Behavior is followed by the presentation of a stimulus (a reinforcer) and the behavior is strengthened

What is Negative Reinforcement? Behavior is followed by the removal of a stimulus (a punisher / aversive stimulus) and the behavior is strengthened

Escape and avoidance behaviors: are involved in negative reinforcement Escape - the behavior results in the termination of (escape from) the aversive stimulus and the behavior is strengthened. Avoidance - the behavior results in the prevention of (avoidance of) the aversive stimulus and the behavior is strengthened.

Everyday Examples of Negative Reinforcement Turn the channel during a bad TV show Put on a coat on a cold day Use an umbrella Slap a mosquito Turn up the heat Roll up the window when it rains Wear earplugs on a noisy job Turn down the lights, TV, stereo Turn on the exhaust fan Loosen a tight collar or tie Turn off the alarm buzzer Give in to a screaming kid Tell someone to be quiet in a movie

Positive and Negative Reinforcement in the Same Situation Tantrum in a grocery store Child’s tantrum behavior is strengthened by getting candy from a parent (positive reinforcement) Parent’s behavior of giving candy to child is strengthened by termination of the tantrum (negative reinforcement)

Unconditioned Reinforcers Biologically determined - survival value for the individual Food, water, human contact (warmth), oxygen, sexual contact, escape from cold, heat, pain, extreme levels of stimulation

Conditioned Reinforcers A previously neutral stimulus - repeatedly paired with an established reinforcer (an unconditioned or conditioned reinforcer) - will function as a reinforcer Examples of Conditioned Reinforcers Sight, sound, and scent of parents Parents’ smile, tone of voice, attention, praise Types of toys, TV shows, music, clothes, activities Grades, positive evaluations Accomplishments (social, physical) Money Others

Conditioned Generalized Reinforcers Paired with a wide variety of other reinforcers Money, praise, tokens

Factors that Influence Reinforcement Immediacy Consistency (contingency) Establishing operations Individual differences Intensity of the stimulus

Schedules of Reinforcement Specifies which responses will be followed by the reinforcer Continuous reinforcement - Each response is followed by the reinforcer Intermittent reinforcement - Not every response is followed by a reinforcer

Fixed Ratio Schedules Reinforcer after X number of responses - the number does not change Produces high rate / post reinforcement pause Examples: piece rate pay classroom uses

Variable Ratio Schedules Reinforcer after X number of responses on the average Produces high rate / no postreinforcement pause Examples: work and classroom uses slot machine, phone solicitors

Fixed Interval Schedules Reinforcer for the first response after X amount of time - time interval does not change Produces low rate of responding that increases at the end of the interval Rarely used in behavior modification Examples: mail delivery every 2 hours hourly supervisor checks on a worker

Variable Interval Schedules Reinforcer for the first response after X amount of time on the average Produces low but steady rate of behavior Rarely used in behavior modification Examples: unpredictable supervisor checks, checking for phone or e-mail messages

Concurrent Schedules of Reinforcement Schedules of reinforcement that exist at the same time for two or more different behaviors Concurrent operants Factors influencing choice of concurrent operants - schedule of reinforcement - magnitude of reinforcement - immediacy of reinforcement - response effort