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