Compliance and Behavioral Momentum

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

According to the experimental paradigm described, what is the primary difference between Component A and Component B?

Component A involves a higher absolute reinforcer rate compared to Component B.
Component A involves a lower relative reinforcer rate for the right key compared to Component B. (correct)
Component A provides the same reinforcer rate as Component B but with a different time-out period.
Component A involves a lower absolute reinforcer rate compared to Component B.

In the experiment, what is the purpose of comparing right-key response rates in Components A and B?

To evaluate the effects of alternative reinforcement for the left-key response on the right-key response. (correct)
To determine the subjects' preference for key color (green vs. other colors).
To assess the impact of different time-out periods on response rates.
To measure the overall activity level of the subjects.

What do the results of the extinction tests reveal about the right-key responding in Components A and B?

Right-key responding in Component B starts above that in Component A and falls below it as extinction progresses. (correct)
Right-key responding in Component B starts lower than in Component A and rises above it as extinction progresses.
Right-key responding in Component A starts higher than in Component B and remains higher throughout extinction.
Right-key responding in Components A and B are equally susceptible to extinction.

Which of the following conclusions is best supported by the comparison of right-key responding in Components C and B?

Resistance to change of right-key responding is directly related to the reinforcer rate signaled by the component stimuli. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In this experiment, what is the independent variable being manipulated to assess resistance to change?

The rate and distribution of reinforcement across different keys. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How did the researchers disrupt baseline performances to test resistance to change?

By allowing satiation, prefeeding, and extinction. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the total number of reinforcers per hour across both keys in Component C?

60 reinforcers per hour. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why was a time-out period included between components?

To ensure that responding in one component did not affect responding in the subsequent component. (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what should researchers be cautious about when predicting or interpreting the effects of interventions based on basic research?

Assuming direct applicability without equating relevant variables. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What general conclusion does the content draw about discriminated operant behavior and resistance to change?

The resistance to change of a discriminated operant depends directly on the rate of reinforcement. (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what was the key finding of Harper and McLean (1992) that challenged previous conclusions about reinforcement and resistance to change?

Variations in reinforcer rate produced equal proportional changes relative to baseline in two multiple-schedule components. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What condition did Harper and McLean (1992) identify as potentially influencing the relationship between resistance to change and baseline reinforcer rate?

The use of two or more signaled schedules that alternate within sessions. (C) Signup and view all the answers

If a researcher aims to apply findings on behavioral momentum from basic research to a real-world scenario, what is the MOST critical step they should take?

Equating relevant variables in the applied setting with those identified as significant in the basic research. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Based on the content, under what circumstances might the typical relationship between reinforcer rate and resistance to change be weakened or absent?

When the disruption occurs between components of a multiple schedule. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Nevin et al.'s (1990) experiment on behavioral momentum has been replicated with rats using visual stimuli, but not auditory stimuli. What does this suggest about the nature of behavioral momentum?

Behavioral momentum may depend on the type of discriminative stimulus. (D) Signup and view all the answers

A researcher observes that an intervention based on basic research into behavioral momentum is not yielding the expected results in a classroom setting. Considering the content provided, what is the MOST likely reason for this discrepancy?

The researcher did not adequately equate relevant variables between the basic research and the classroom setting. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of change is least likely to reliably confirm that resistance to change is directly related to reinforcer rate?

Changes in the schedule presented. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why might a large reinforcer be a greater disrupter than a small reinforcer, potentially counteracting expected differences in resistance to change?

The disruptive effect may be equivalent, because the difference might counteract the expected difference in resistance to change. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How do the effects of extinction (an internal disrupter) on multiple-schedule performances compare to those of external disruptors, according to the content?

Extinction effects are entirely in accord with those of external disruptors. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What did Cohen, Riley, and Weigle's (1993) research suggest about the relationship between resistance to change and reinforcer rate in single-schedule performances?

Resistance to change does not always depend on the reinforcer rate. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to Lattal (1989), how did the resistance to disruption by free food differ between a tandem FR VI schedule and a tandem DRL VI schedule, when reinforcer rates were equated?

The low-rate tandem DRL schedule performance was more resistant to disruption. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What critical factor needs to be identified in single-schedule studies to confirm the positive relation between resistance to change and reinforcer rate, but fails to do so?

The factors that distinguish single-schedule studies. (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to Lattal’s findings, what might establish behavioral classes that are differentially susceptible to disruption?

Different sorts of contingencies. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What remains to be achieved in the characterization of disrupters, according to the text?

Complete characterization and scaling of effective disrupters. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential risk associated with using metaphors in scientific contexts?

Metaphors may be extrapolated beyond their valid scope, leading to inaccurate conclusions. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What positive effect can metaphors have on scientists, as mentioned in the text?

Metaphors can encourage innovative thinking by interacting unpredictably with scientists' existing knowledge. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason that metaphors can be helpful in communicating scientific ideas?

They offer a relatable framework for understanding abstract concepts. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the author's view on the use of the 'behavioral momentum' metaphor?

The author acknowledges its potential dangers but appreciates its contribution to guiding research. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest about the development of the high-probability (high-p) request sequence procedure?

Its development was an unexpected consequence of the interaction between metaphors and scientists' knowledge. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Based on the references provided, which research area appears to be a significant application of behavioral momentum?

Enhancing compliance in students (C) Signup and view all the answers

The references mention studies involving rats and pigeons. What aspect of behavioral momentum were these studies MOST likely investigating?

The basic principles of behavioral momentum in controlled environments. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of behavioral momentum, what does resistance to change typically refer to?

The persistence of a behavior despite changes in reinforcement conditions. (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to the formula `log(BX1/BO1)/log(BX2/BO2) 5 m2/m1`, what relationship exists between the ratio of behavioral masses and the ratio of the logarithms of responding under disruption relative to baseline?

The ratio of behavioral masses is inversely proportional to the ratio of the logarithms of responding under disruption relative to baseline. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a more reliable method for estimating the ratio of behavioral masses when a disrupter value is varied systematically?

Calculating the slopes of functions that relate response rates under disruption to the value of the disrupter, and quantifying the mass ratio by the inverse slope ratio. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What did Nevin (1992b) find regarding the ratio of masses in his research?

The ratio of masses was a power function of a contingency ratio characterizing reinforcer rate or magnitude. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How can the value of the contingency ratio be experimentally altered?

By changing the reinforcer rate in a target component, the reinforcer rate in an alternated component, or the length of time-out periods between components. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of behavior is being measured when evaluating 'velocity' in the context of multiple-schedule components?

Baseline response rate. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the contingency ratio quantify in the context described?

The stimulus-reinforcer relation. (C) Signup and view all the answers

If a researcher wants to increase the 'behavioral mass' of a response, which of the following strategies aligns with the principles described in the text?

Increase the reinforcer rate in the target component relative to the overall average reinforcer rate. (C) Signup and view all the answers

A researcher observes that disrupting a two-component multiple schedule has a minimal effect on Component 1 but significantly reduces responding in Component 2. Based on Equation 3, what can be inferred about the behavioral masses of the two components?

Component 1 has a larger behavioral mass than Component 2. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the high-probability (high-p) request sequence influence compliance, according to the text?

It increases the probability of compliance or decreases the latency to compliance with a following low-probability (low-p) request. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What theoretical framework supports the effectiveness of the high-p procedure?

Behavioral momentum, in which the high-p series establishes a 'velocity' of compliance. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of compliance as a discriminated operant, what serves as the consequence that reinforces the behavior?

At least intermittent social reinforcement correlated with the stimulus situation. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why might the high-p procedure not always be effective in enhancing compliance?

The procedure may not always be sufficient on its own to overcome other factors affecting compliance. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key difference between the high-p procedure used in applied settings and basic research on behavioral momentum?

Applied settings lack a well-defined alternated situation with different conditions of reinforcement, unlike basic research. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it difficult to establish a steady-state baseline response rate in the high-p procedure?

Compliance isn't an operant, since it's prompted and defined by correspondence between the request and the action. Also, the high-p sequence is too short to establish a reliable baseline. (A) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of behavioral momentum, what role do reinforcers during the high-p sequence play?

They increase the 'mass' of compliance, making it more resistant to disruption. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of a 'discriminated operant' relate to understanding compliance?

Compliance fits with the discriminated operant framework, where the behavior is influenced by a request and reinforced by social interaction. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Three-component multiple-schedule paradigm

A multiple schedule with three components (A, B, and C) where different reinforcement rates are arranged for responding on concurrent VI VI schedules.

Component A properties

Component A offers a lower absolute reinforcer rate (15 per hour) and a lower relative reinforcer rate (0.25) for right-key pecks, alongside alternative reinforcement for left-key response.

Component B properties

Component B provides an intermediate absolute reinforcer rate (15 per hour) and the highest relative reinforcer rate (1.0) for right-key pecks.

Component C properties

Component C provides a larger absolute reinforcer rate (60 per hour) by including right-key and left-key pecks.