Psychology unit 4, sac 4b

Three components of a token economy

1) Explanation of rules 2) An indication of what rewards/reinforcers could be obtained (in exchange of tokens) 3) An indication of a rate of exchange (how many tokens needed for the reward items)

What type of reinforcements did Sheldon use on Penny?

1) Positive reinforcement: Sheldon positively reinforced Penny by giving her chocolates whenever she performed a correct behavior, such as not sitting in his seat, not talking and speaking in a lower octave. This increases the likely hood of Penny repeating these correct behaviors. 2) Negative reinforcement: Sheldon negatively reinforced Penny by taking away his looks whenever Penny performed a correct behavior. This increases the likelihood of Penny repeating these correct behaviors.

Law of effect

According to the "law of effect" responses that are followed by a satisfying outcome are strengthened (more likely to occur) whereas responses that are followed by an annoying or undesirable outcome are weakened (less likely to occur)

Cannibals and missionaries activity

An activity was undertaken in which 3 cannibals and 3 missionaries needed to get to the other side safely. However, when there were more cannibals than missionaries, the missionaries would be eaten. We tried many different solutions. Such as we first tried to take two cannibals across the lake, then one came back and two missionaries were sent across the lake. However, because the last missionarie was left alone with two cannibals, he got eaten. We then learned to take one missionarie at a time and not leave one alone. Then we tried to take a missionary and a cannibal across the lake, we dropped the cannibal off and two more cannibals got in the boat, another cannibal was dropped off and then two missionaries got in. Then a missionarie swapped places with a cannibal and they went back across, dropped off the cannibal and another missionary got in. So then all the missionaries were on one side before the cannibals were dropped off. This worked successfully and none of the missionaries were eaten.

Trial and error learning, major theorist

Edward Thorndike

Token economies in the class room

Explanation of rules: tokens will be given correctly answered questions, appropriate questions asked, arriving on time. Tokens will be deducted for talking over the teacher or usuage of mobile phones Rewards: chocolate, wizz fizz, leaving class 10 minutes early and having a 10 minute break Exchange rate: 3 stamps: chocolate, 7 stamps: wizz fizz, 12 stamps: 10 minute break, 18 stamps: leave class 10 minutes early.

Motivation

Getting the satisfaction of being able to fold the napkin into a rose.

Reproduction

Imitating the napkin folding and having the physical and mental ability to do so.

Observational learning

Occurs when someone uses observations of another persons actions and their consequences to guide their future actions. Major theorist: Albert Bandura.

Big Bang Theory activity

Stimulus: Sheldon's disapproving look, Operant response: correct behavior e.g. not seating in his seat, not talking, speaking in a lower octave. Consequence: Getting rewarded with chocolates.

Retention

Storing and remembering a mental representation of the napkin being folded

Negative reinforcement

Taking away something bad to increase the likelihood of the behaviour occurring again

Reinforcement

The incentive to reproduce the napkin rose was reinforced by a stamp and praise from the teacher.

Attention

The learners actively watching the model of the lady folding a napkin into a rose.

Consequence

The result of voluntary behaviour response. e.g food pellets.

Positive punishment

adding something bad to decrease the likelihood of the behaviour occurring again

Positive reinforcement

adding something good to increase the likelihood of the behavior occurring again .

Stimulus

anything that cause the voluntary behaviour response

Behaviour modification: Token Economies

are a form of behaviour modification using tokens to influence behaviour change.

Shaping a Pigeon

he started by reinforcing the pigeon with a food pellet when it turned slightly to the left until this was conditioned and then he stopped giving the food pellets until the pigeon turned even further to the left. He repeated this process until the pigeon had made a full turn counter clockwise (desired response)

Shaping

is a procedure in which a reinforcer is given for any response that successfully approximates and ultimately leads to the final desired response or target behaviour. Major Theorist: Skinner.

Vicarious punishment

occurs when the likelihood of an observer performing a specific behaviour decreases after observing another be punished for such a behaviour.

Vicarious reinforcement

occurs when the likelihood of an observer performing a specific behaviour increases after observing another being reinforced for such a behaviour.

Operant Conditioning

refers to a type of learning for which the likelihood of a particular response occurring is determined by the consequences of that response. Major theorist: B. F Skinner.

Social Learning Theory

states that people learn through observing others behaviours, attitudes and outcomes of those behaviours.

Negative punishment

taking away something good to decrease the likelihood of the behaviour occurring again.

Operant response

voluntary behaviour in response to the stimulus

What was the error in the BBT activity?

when Sheldon sprays Leonard in the face with water he calls it "negative reinforcement" whereas it is actually positive punishment because he is adding something bad to decrease the behaviour whereas negative reinforcement is taking away something bad to increase behaviour.