Chapter 5

Assignment #2Deadline changed to JUNE 4thWill mostly focus on Ch 7Talk about that after the midterm on MondayTopics will be announced on MondayChapter 6 Operant PunishmentContingenciesResponse Rate:IncreasesDecreasesRemovedPresentedResponse Causes Stimulus to Be:Positive ReinforcementNegative ReinforcementPositive PunishmentNegative PunishmentLever press --> FoodLever press --> Shock offLever press --> ShockLever press --> Food removedExamplesPositiveAversive stimulus is ADDEDSpanking, shockNegativeAppetitive stimulus is REMOVEDTime-outs, grounding, no dessert, food taken away

Fines??Factors affecting punishmentContingencyCorrelation between behaviour & outcomeStrong contingency --> better learningRandom contingency --> no learningBoth reinforcement and punishmentContiguityTime between behaviour & outcomeShorter = better learningMore important for punishmentDistraction more likely in punishment than reinforcementCommon violationsPunisher CharacteristicsQualitative differences in punishersSpecies & individual differencesIntensity of punisherIntroductory level of punishmentSimilar (but opposite) to learned helplessness

Reinforcement of punished behaviourHow rewarding is the behaviour itself?Related to deprivation levelsAlternative sources of reinforcementReal applicationsTheories of PunishmentDisruption TheoryIncompatible behaviourPunished behaviour is suppressedProblemsIntensity of punisherContingency

Two-Process Theory (revisited)Same theory we talked about for escape/avoidanceClassical & OperantSame problems as beforeProximity to punished stimulusOne-Process Theory (revisited)Symmetry with reinforcementPremack principleLow-probability behaviour punishes high-probability behaviourProblems with punishmentBenefitsShort-term effectivenessReinforcingPowerful & FastRapid and substantial reduction in behaviourBeneficial?ProblemsApplication of punishersPunishment generally not used correctlyToleranceStart with strong punisherGradually reduceGeneral reluctance to administer

Possible Consequences of PunishmentEscapeAggressionAt punisher, self, otherApathyGeneral suppression of other behavioursAbusePermanent damageImitationAlternatives to punishmentResponse PreventionMake it impossible to do punishable behaviourSubject can circumvent thisBest with younger childrenExtinctionIdentify reinforcer of behaviourWithhold reinforcer extinction of behaviourOften difficult to identify the reinforcerExtinction bursts problematicNot a rapid solutionDifferential ReinforcementFour Types:DRL: Differential reinforcement of low responsesDRO: Differential reinforcement of zero responsesDRI: Differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviourDRA: Differential reinforcement of alternative behaviour

DRLDifferential reinforcement of low responsesOnly reinforce behaviour when response occurs at low frequencyGood for reducing RATE of behavioure.g. pigeon pecking at key lightReinforce ONLY if at least 2 seconds in between peckse.g. too many compliments

DRODifferential reinforcement of zero responsesor DR of Omission of behaviourReinforcement contingent on not performing behaviour at all (in some time period)Very similar to DRL, but goal is to eliminate behaviour

DRIDifferential reinforcement of incompatible behaviourReinforce behaviour incompatible with undesired responsee.g. riding bike vs playing video game

DRADifferential reinforcement of alternative behaviourReinforcer gained from undesired behaviour now only available when some alternative behaviour doneAlternate source of reinforcementUsed more in cases where DRI is not an option

Noncontingent ReinforcementProvide desired reinforcer on regular basis regardless of what is being doneNo correlation between response and outcomeMay work because subject gets reinforcer for freeProblems if reinforcer comes after some other undesired behaviour (new acquisition)

Chivalrous Charlie example (p. 87 of workbook)Negative PunishmentRemoval of pleasant stimulusTime-outPopular in human behaviour modificationOther Techniques for Behavioural DecelerationOvercorrectionRepetitions of alternate, desired behaviourRestitutionPositive practiceTechnically, punishmentStimulus satiationImportance of reinforcers or punishersLatent LearningMotivationLearning behaviourPerforming behaviourTolman & Honzig (1930)day 11Average ErrorsDaysNo foodFood rewardNo food reward until day 11Maze blockagesStart BoxGoal