Learning and Behavior Cumulative Exam

Goals of Behavior Analysis

- accurately predict behavior - identify functional variables that influence behavior

assumptions of behavior analysis

- behavior is determined - the scientific method is a vaid way to reveal determinants of behavior

determinism

- behavior is functional - biological and environmental factors together determine behavior

pragmatic approach

- is this likely to affect responding? - focus on the realistic goals and remove the emphasis on theories - can i test this?

behavioral history

- personal history between stimuli and responding - experiences that happened years ago can effect present behavior

why do reinforcement schedules matter?

- produce different response pattern - are differentially sensitive to extinction - organisms prefer some reinforcement schedules over others

primary reinforcers examples

-food & water -escape/avoidance of pain -contact/comfort -control over environmental stimuli

principles of effective conditioner reinforcement

-use effective backup reinforcer (US) -use salient conditioned reinforcer (CS) -make sure the conditioned reinforcer is not redundant with another delayed reduction stimulus

four dimensions of effective reinforcers

1. contingency: reinforcers maintain more behavior if they are given contingent on the desired behavior (if you can have the reinforcer for free, you will not work to obtain it) 2. reinforcer size: increasing size can increase operant behavior 3. reinforcer quality: subjective value 4. immediacy: reinforcers are more effective when provided immediately after the operant response

ways to increase motivation

1. deprivation (EO) can increase value of a reinforcer and increases the behavior that yields that reinforcer 2. limit non-contingent access to reinforcer (Abolishing operations), or contingent access to substitutes, as this will greatly decrease motivation to work as a reinforcer

6 characteristics of effective punishment

1. focus on reinforcement first 2. combine punishment with extinction or differential reinforcement 3. deliver punishers right away 4. deliver punishers contingently 5. punish every time 6. use a punisher in the goldilocks zone

variable ratio (VR schedule)

A reinforcement schedule in which the reinforcer is given after a variable number of nonreinforced responses. results in high rate response run

modeling prompt

A type of prompt in which the trainer demonstrates the target behavior for the learner.

Functional Communication Training (FCT)

An antecedent intervention in which an appropriate communicative behavior is taught as a replacement behavior for problem behavior usually evoked by an establishing operation (EO); involves differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA).

Janis has never considered herself an aggressive person. However, after a particularly bad day, her brother called her a bad name. Surprising herself, Janis struck her brother. What well-researched finding could explain Janis striking her brother?

Experiencing aversiveness can induce aggression.

Warren used to receive a piece of candy every time he visited the principal's office. Now, the principal only gives him candy every now and then when he visits in the hope that he will visit less often. Now that the principal is giving him candy occasionally rather than every time, how is Warren's behavior likely to change?

He will likely visit the principal's office more frequently & will continue for longer even after she stops giving him candy completely.

ABC: S delta

If A. S delta and B. response, then C. no consequence

ABC: S punisher

If A. Sp and B. response, then C. punisher

In nonhuman animals, what learning process underlies conditioned reinforcement?

Pavlonian learning

When Mugsy worked for the mob, he committed at least seven criminal acts every week. He was arrested and convicted for one of these criminal acts and he spent two years in prison. While in prison, Mugsy was crime free for two years. However, when he was released, he rejoined the mob and resumed his criminal activities at the same rate as before (about seven crimes per week). Did going to prison function as a punisher?

Punishers reduce the future probability of behavior and, after the "punisher" was implemented (after going to jail), Mugsy's rate of criminal activity did not decline.

Allison's favorite restaurant (Cindy's Country Cafe - seriously everyone should try it. It is in Portsmouth) has a special grilled cornbread that is on the menu occasionally. During the fall, it is on the menu every Monday. During the winter, it is on the menu once a week on average, but the day that it is on the menu is not specified. Will Allison visit her favorite restaurant more or less frequently during the winter?

She will visit the restaurant more frequently during the winter.

fading

The gradual removal of prompts as the behavior continues to occur in the presence of the discriminative stimulus.

Greg's parents both work two jobs and barely have energy left to interact with him once they get home. Initially, he tried to get their attention by asking to help them around the house, but they both said no and to leave them alone. Over time, he learned that making a lot of noise would result in them talking to him briefly, even though it was usually just to tell him to stop. Now, most of Greg's interactions with his parents are negative (they are telling him to stop doing something). How is this pattern likely to affect the relationship between Greg and his parents?

The relationship between Greg and his parents has too many negatives and not enough positives. This suggests that they will be unhappy with one another.

primary reinforcers

a consequence that functions as a reinforcer because it is important in sustaining the life of the individual or continuation of the species

identify a discriminative stimulus in an example

a dog sees you open the treat cabinet, and the salivation is elicited because the dog has learned that the cabinet means he is getting a treat

The typical pattern of responding under an FR schedule of reinforcement is...

a post-reinforcement pause followed by a high-constant rate of responding which ends with a reinforcer (aka a "break and run").

differential reinforcement

a previously reinforced behavior is placed on extinction while a second (more adaptive) behavior is reinforced

what is a discriminative stimulus and how does it affect behavior?

an antecedent stimulus that can EVOKE a specific operant response because the individual has learned that when S(d) is present, the response will be reinforced

What is S Punishment?

an antecedent stimulus that decreases a specific operant response because the individual has learned that when Sp is present, the response will be punished

What is S Delta (S^triangle)?

an antecedent stimulus that decreases a specific operant response because the individual has learned that when the S delta is present, the response will not be reinforced

prompt

an antecedent stimulus that facilitated or guides the desired response when it is not happening under appropriate discriminative stimulus

motivating operations

an environmental and/or biological that 1. temporarily alters the value of a specific reinforcer and 2. increases/decreases the probability of behaviors yielding that reinforcer

functional analysis of behavior

analyzing what the reinforcer of a behavior may be

The book discusses four variables that affect choice. Which of the following is NOT one of those variables? Reinforcer present vs. reinforcer absent Anticipatory reinforcement Reinforcer size/quality The effort needed to obtain the reinforcer The delay to the reinforcer

anticipatory reinforcement

what is behavior?

anything an organism does

antecedent

anything that comes before a behavior that is relevant to the response

thought process for scheduling components

are reinforcer deliveries consistent or inconsistent? - fixed vs. variable are reinforcer deliveries contingent on a certain number of responses or a certain amount of time

what is the dependent variable in behavior analytic research?

behavior

operant behavior

behavior is EVOKED by antecedent and consequence events

Skinner's approach to verbal behavior

behavior is influenced by motivating operants, antecedent stimuli, and different categories or reinforcers

What are the hallmarks of within-subject designs?

behavior is the DV falsifiable hypothesis manipulation of the IV resulting in observable change

rule-governed behavior

behavior that has been generated through exposure to rules

Negative reinforcement = a response contingent _____________ of a stimulus that results in subsequent increases in that response

both removal and deletion

how are phobias created?

can be conditioned by pairing a fearful event with a previously neutral stimulus

Schneider, the author of Science of Consequences, argues at the end of the book that _______________ are everywhere and unavoidable. She then makes the argument that we can use our knowledge of these to build a better world.

consequences

what is multiple baseline design?

controlling for maturation effects without relation

which of the following is not a within-subject design a. multiple baseline design b. alternating treatment design c. ABA reversal design d. focus group design

d. focus group design

abolishing operation

decreases the value of the reinforcer ex: kid with the cake in Matilda if you just ate, food is less valuable as a reinforcer

In humans and nonhumans alike, ____________ punishers are far less effective than _______________ punishers.

delayed, immediate

response-consequence contingency

describes the causal (IF → THEN) relation between an operant behavior and its consequence.

circumstances view

determinism: environmental and biological factors contribute to producing behavior - focus on environmental contributors to behavior allows for the identification of malleable factors

shaping

differential reinforcement of a series of successive approximations (behavior that falls short of ultimate performance) to a terminal behavior (ultimate performance)

A __________________ stimulus is an antecedent stimulus that can evoke a specific operant response because the individual has learned that when this stimulus is present, that response will be reinforced.

discriminative

Jeremy is 5 years old and he loves to dance. Whenever he hears music he begins to dance and all of the adults laugh with joy. The other night Jeremy and his parents went to an outdoor concert and Jeremy ran to the front of the crowd and danced. He is young enough that everyone thought it was cute and laughed and patted him on the back and told him he was a good dancer. When Jeremy went to kindergarten, the teacher played music on the first day of class. Jeremy began to dance. Jeremy's dance style was cute to adults, but it was considered goofy by his peers. They didn't laugh with joy or tell him he was a good dancer. Jeremy stopped dancing in his class, but he continued to dance when adults were around. Music and the presence of adults is a stimulus that could be classified as a(n) _________.

discriminative stimulus

________________________ is a procedure in which an operant response is reinforced in the presence of an SD and extinguished in the presence of an SD.

discriminative training

pavlonian behavior

elicited by antecedent events alone

what is the independent variable in behavior analytic research?

environment/ treatment

The circumstances view of behavior suggests focuses on ___________________ causes of behavior.

environmental

SRe: stimulus removal

escape extinction, as it happens. removing a stimulus that is aversive in the moment

why is environmental enrichment important?

expands the brain and allows for faster learning

On Jim's old computer, pressing the F3 key saved his file and Jim pressed this often when he wanted to save his work. When Jim got his new computer, the F3 key did nothing when pressed. After a while, Jim stopped pressing the F3 key. This gradual reduction in pressing the F3 key is one of the reliable effects of _________________.

extinction

After breaking up with his partner, Mitch began declining calls from his ex. These calls came in at a rate of 2-3 per day, but on day four, Mitch's ex called him at an incredibly high rate (25 times). His ex called far less often after that. The temporary increase in calling (i.e. the previously reinforced response) on day four could be described as a(n)

extinction burst

Behavior analysis does not provide insight into effective parenting strategies.

false

Behavior analysis has not been used to support children who refuse to eat.

false

Behavior analysis has not been used to support individuals with Dementia.

false

Positive reinforcement contingencies are always associated with positive emotions; negative reinforcement contingencies are always associated with negative emotions.

false

The Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts suggests that treatments should include punishment and be applied similarly across clients.

false

The circumstances view of behavior is the dominant view in society.

false

fixed interval (FI schedule)

first response is emitted after the FI timer elapses "scallop" post-reinforcement pause, followed by an accelerated response rate if you can make up a rule for yourself, you respond in the same way as a pigeon ex: exams, sun set

ratio schedule

fixed (unchanging) number of responses must be made to obtain the reinforcer

In Perfect-City USA the buses are free and on time. Buses leave the central bus station promptly every half hour. To obtain the reinforcer (a free ride on the bus) you need to be on the bus before it leaves. Showing up early to board the bus is wasted effort. In Perfect City the buses operate according to a _______ schedule of reinforcement.

fixed-interval (FI)

why would within-subject design be selected over group design?

focuses on individual behavior, repeated measures of directly observable behavior, participant experiences both control and experimental conditions

If a stimulus that elicits a response is repeatedly presented, it may result in a decrease of the reflex strength over time (e.g., less saliva produced the more times that lemon juice is dropped on a tongue). What is this process called?

habituation

ABC: S D

if A.Sd and B. Response, then C. reinforcer

access to stimulating environments can result in

increased learning speed, better memory, expanded grade

______________ reinforcement describes a contingency in which the response is sometimes but not always reinforced.

intermittent

within-subject designs have high ___________ validity

internal

Brad is a 7-year old child who hates doing homework. When his parent sit him down and he starts to do his homework, Brad quickly throws a fit. Screaming and crying until his parents give in, and let him leave the homework session. If Brad's screaming and crying are operant behaviors maintained by reinforcement, what kind of reinforcement do you think is maintaining this problem behavior?

negative reinforcement: escape

are reinforcers always things people like?

no

can you tell the function of a behavior by looking at it?

no, only by analyzing the environment

identify a punishment contingency

not doing your homework, your parents taking away your phone, you doing your homework in the future

generalization

occurs when a novel stimulus resembling Sd will evoke the response, despite that response never having been reinforced

what is respondent conditioning?

pairing a neutral stimulus with a biologically relevant stimulus

how do conditioned stimuli become conditioned?

pairing the stimuli with an unconditioned response

Positive reinforcement = a response contingent _____________ of a stimulus that results in subsequent increases in that response

presentation

A consequence that functions as a reinforcer because it is important in sustaining the life of the individual or the continuation of the species is a _____________ reinforcer.

primary

The Amazonian hunter-gatherer community imposed an IF hording food THEN verbal shaming contingency on Rerebawa, a male member of the community. When he was caught eating food by himself and not sharing the meal with others, the others yelled at him, called him names, and threw grass and dirt at him. Rerebawa never again horded food; he always shared with the members of his community. It would appear that the shaming functioned as a __________________.

punisher

When the residents of Troy chose to wheel into the city the large gift horse that the Greeks left outside the city walls, they were surprised by all the Greek warriors who came out and killed or seriously injured them while they slept. Something tells me that if the surviving Trojans were faced with the choice of what to do with another large wooden horse, they would choose to leave it outside the city walls. What behavioral principle/procedure accounts for their decreased willingness to accept equestrian gifts?

punishment

Premack Principle

reinforce a low probability behavior with access to a high probability behavior (finish your homework then Netflix, hang out with friends)

In behavior analysis consequences are classified based on their function (their effect on behavior) not on their form. Therefore, if a seemingly aversive consequence increases the future probability of behavior it is classified as a __________________. Similarly, if a seemingly enjoyable consequence decreases the future probability of behavior it is classified as a ___________________.

reinforcer, punisher

what is reversal design?

replicates results to identify causal relation

____________________________ is a hallmark of within-subject designs. There are three main types of this: within subject, across subject, and across institutions/laboratories.

replication

what is the process by which initially neutral stimuli come to elicit responses

respondent conditioning

What is Reinfocement?

response-contingent on the addition or removal of a stimulus that result in subsequent increase in the likelihood of that response

A ____________________ precisely specifies the nature of the contingent relation between a response and its reinforcer.

schedule of reinforcement

how does natural selection relate to the selection of consequences?

selection of operant behavior

An impulsive choice is made when the individual chooses the _______________reward and foregoes the __________________reward.

smaller-sooner; larger later

why may you select multiple-baseline design over reversal?

sometimes reversal isn't possible, such as with learning, you cannot unteach someone how to read

what features of data are you looking for to identify a functional relation on a line graph?

stable responding, level change, replication

series of successive approximations

start small and gradually improve by reinforcing slightly better performances

What is punishment?

stimulus change that results in the subsequent decrease of the likelihood of that behavior reoccuring

non-contingent consequences

stimulus event that follows behavior was not caused by behavior

SRa: stimulus prevention

stimulus prevention of an expected aversive stimulus

applications of behavior analysis

sustainability, nonviolence, women

consequences following responses affect...

the future likelihood of behavior

why is it important to use research methods in behavior analytic practice?

to identify causes of behavior and the effectiveness of interventions

Behavior analysis has been used to increase cooperativeness of animals receiving veterinary care.

true

Behavior analysis has been used to increase sustainable behaviors.

true

Behavior-analytic strategies support positive classroom behavior.

true

For someone to be successful and happy, it is important that there are more positive reinforcers than negative reinforcers and punishers controlling their behavior.

true

If there is a code violation, a behavior analyst can potentially lose their certification.

true

Schedules of reinforcement exist whether or not researchers program them.

true

Understanding behavior analysis has important implications for a successful marriage.

true

respondent conditioning informs how phobias are formed

true

extinction in therapy

unethical, must be paired to be used in clinical practice

establishing operation

value of positive reinforcer (strength of reinforcer) "absence makes the heart grow fonder"

Alexis got a new job selling aluminum siding for people's homes; so far, she has made three sales. To make the sales, she visits the homes of those who have completed an online form requesting someone come to their house to provide a cost estimate. In her first week on the job, she visited 15 houses before making one sale. After that, she visited 5 houses before making another sale. She thought she was getting better at the job, but then it took 10 more house-visits before she made her third sale. What schedule of reinforcement is Alexis working under thus far?

variable-ratio (VR) 10

functional variables

variables that reliably influence behavior

consequence

what happens because of an action

how do within-subject designs gain generality?

when observed in different environments and organisms