Chapter 12

The following statements are true of Thorndike's law of effect.

-Behaviors with unfavorable consequences tend to disappear -Behaviors with favorable consequences tend to be repeated

Reinforcement theory states that you can:

-Increased desired behaviors by providing pleasing consequences -Strengthen desired behaviors by withdrawing a displeasing consequence

Although most employers rely on fixed interval reinforcement schedules, some examples of effective variable rewards include:

-Spot rewards -Celebrations of milestones -Variable bonuses for achieving major goals

Whose theory states that consequences, such as positive reinforcement and punishment, control behavior?

B.F. Skinner

Ignoring an undesirable behavior until it disappears is known as _____

Extinction

Weakening a behavior by not reinforcing it or ignoring it is?

Extinction

Thorndike's observations that led to the law of effect where that behavior with ________ consequences tends to be repeated.

Favorable

Skinner labeled behavior that is learned when one acts on the environment to produce desired consequences _______ behavior.

Operant

Skinner defined automatic reactions to stimuli, or stimulus-response as ______ behavior.

Respondent

True or false: managing the timing of reinforcement will likely enhance the effectiveness of positive reinforcement.

True

True/False: Many work organizations use fixed schedules rather than variable interval schedules of reinforcement.

True

What type of positive reinforcement is being used if a manager decides to recognize the early successful completion of a project and gives employees the afternoon off as a reward?

spot reward

The reinforcement schedules that produce the strongest behavior that is most resistant to extinction include

-Variable interval schedules -Variable ratio schedules

What are two common means for timing the administration of positive reinforcers?

-intermittent reinforcement -Continuous reinforcement

What is an example of negative reinforcement?

Probationary periods for new hires

Cutting the pay of two top executives at Carnival Cruises because of major accidents and mishaps is the form of behavior modification known as ______.

Punishment

The process of weakening an undesired behavior by the contingent presentation of something displeasing or withdrawal of something positive is:

Punishment

The theory that there is a purposeful if-then link between a target behavior and a consequence is:

Skinner's operant theory