Chapter 5 Reinforcement: Positive and Negative

A reinforcer with high reward value for a typical child might be _____.

candy

What is automatic reinforcement?

A behavior produces a reinforcer directly, without other people playing a role. Ex: Scratch and itch

Another term for primary reinforcer is _____.

Unconditioned reinforcer

What is reinforcer?

-An object or event that serves as the consequence in reinforcement. -A stimulus that is introduced or changed when the behavior occurs

The terms positive and negative to describe reinforcement are analogous to _____ and _____ in arithmetic.

Adding and subtracting

What is reward?

Are usually stimuli that organism finds pleasant or satisfying

What is natural reinforcers?

Consequences that happen spontaneously as a normal part of everyday events and are not planned and given systematically to affect a behavior, even though they do.

What is unconditioned reinforcers (primary reinforcers)?

Function as reinforcers even when the individual has had no learning history with them. EX: food, water

What is Premack principle?

Propose that one reason consequences are reinforcing is that they involve performing high-probability behaviors, and these activities will work as reinforcers only for less frequent behaviors.

What are programmed reinforcers?

Provided within a program of reinforcement with the goal of increasing or strengthening specific behaviors. Ex: High grades for good work in school.

If you stubbed your toe, a behavior you could perform that would produce negative reinforcement might be _____.

Rub the toe

What is conditioned reinforcer (secondary reinforcer)?

Stimuli that did not have the ability to strengthen behavior until they became reinforcing as a result of learning.

What is positive reinforcement?

The consequence involves presenting or adding a stimulus after the individual has performed the response.

What is negative reinforcement?

The consequence of the behavior involves decreasing or removing an aversive stimulus.

What is reinforcement?

The process in which a consequence of a behavior strengthens that behavior, making it more likely to occur in the future.

In positive reinforcement, the consequence is _____ after the behavior occurs.

added

Reinforcement always _____ the behavior on which it is contingent.

strengthens