Instrumental Conditioning: Reinforcement and Skinner's Box

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the Skinner box?

To detect the animal's behaviour and deliver consequences (correct)

To deliver primary reinforcers

To study classical conditioning

To weaken undesired behaviour

What is the outcome of positive reinforcement?

The behaviour is strengthened, but only temporarily

The behaviour is weakened, making it less likely to occur

The behaviour remains unchanged

The behaviour is strengthened, making it more likely to occur (correct)

What is the purpose of a clicker in animal training?

To startle the animal

To weaken undesired behaviour

To associate with primary reinforcers and become a conditioned reinforcer (correct)

To deliver primary reinforcement

What is the role of sensors in the Skinner box?

To detect the animal's behaviour Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental concept behind instrumental conditioning?

Strengthening or weakening behaviour based on consequences Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between primary and secondary reinforcers?

Primary reinforcers are inherently satisfying, while secondary reinforcers are not Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of negative reinforcement?

The behaviour is strengthened, making it more likely to occur Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of B.F. Skinner's research?

To understand the process of instrumental conditioning Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the lever or key in the Skinner box?

To allow the animal to initiate a response Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of reinforcement?

The behaviour is strengthened, making it more likely to occur Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of punishment in terms of behaviour?

To decrease the probability of behaviour occurring again Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process by which an organism learns to respond differently to stimuli that signal different consequences?

Discrimination Signup and view all the answers

According to the Premack Principle, what can serve as a reinforcer for low-probability behaviours?

High-probability behaviours Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process by which an organism exhibits a learned behaviour in response to stimuli that resemble the original stimulus associated with reinforcement?

Generalisation Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of measuring an individual's natural balance in their behaviours, called equilibrium or set-point?

To observe how an individual engages in different activities without constraints Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between positive punishment and negative punishment?

Positive punishment involves presenting an aversive stimulus, while negative punishment involves removing a desirable stimulus Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the decrease in the effectiveness of a reinforcer due to the delay between the behaviour and the reinforcement?

Delay of reinforcement Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of using reinforcement in behaviour modification?

To increase the probability of a specific behaviour Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process by which an individual's behaviours are influenced by the availability of reinforcement?

Reinforcement relativity Signup and view all the answers

What is the assumption of the disequilibrium hypothesis?

Individuals have a natural balance in their behaviours Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the therapeutic approach known as behaviour modification?

To promote the development of adaptive behaviours while eliminating undesirable ones Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process by which an organism learns to associate certain cues with a physiological response?

Classical conditioning Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between classical and instrumental conditioning?

Classical conditioning is involuntary while instrumental conditioning is voluntary Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the repeated powerful motivation to engage in purposeful behaviour despite having no survival value?

Addiction Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary limitation of learning theories of addiction?

They tend to oversimplify the picture in humans due to animal research primarily being used Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the incentive and pleasure systems of the brain in addiction?

They are responsible for the ability to activate and the pleasure systems of the brain Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between extinction and tolerance in the context of addiction?

Extinction occurs when the reinforcer is removed, while tolerance occurs when the reinforcer is present Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process by which an organism learns to perform a desired behaviour through the reinforcement of successive approximations?

Shaping Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the token economy approach?

To provide rewards or privileges for desired behaviours Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between the IC and CC approaches?

IC involves a primary reinforcer, while CC involves a secondary reinforcer Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of reinforcement in instrumental conditioning?

To strengthen a targeted behaviour Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental concept behind secondary reinforcers?

Stimuli that acquire reinforcing properties through classical conditioning Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Skinner box?

To study instrumental conditioning Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between primary and secondary reinforcers?

Primary reinforcers satisfy physiological needs, while secondary reinforcers do not Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a clicker in animal training?

To provide secondary reinforcement Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of instrumental conditioning?

To strengthen or weaken targeted behaviours Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between positive and negative reinforcement?

Positive reinforcement provides a reward, while negative reinforcement removes an unpleasant stimulus Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concept behind conditioning?

Learning through association and consequence Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the lever or key in the Skinner box?

To detect the animal's behaviour Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concept behind reinforcement?

The process of strengthening a behaviour Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of generalisation in behaviour modification?

To increase the probability of desired behaviour in new situations Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between positive and negative punishment?

Positive punishment involves presenting an aversive stimulus, while negative punishment involves removing a desirable stimulus Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary assumption of the disequilibrium hypothesis?

Individuals have a natural balance in their behaviours, called equilibrium or set-point Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Premack Principle in behaviour modification?

To use high-probability behaviours as reinforcers for low-probability behaviours Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between discrimination and generalisation?

Discrimination involves responding differently to stimuli, while generalisation involves exhibiting learned behaviour in new situations Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor affecting the effectiveness of reinforcement?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of reinforcement in behaviour modification?

To increase the probability of desired behaviour Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between reinforcement and punishment?

Reinforcement increases behaviour, while punishment decreases behaviour Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of measuring an individual's natural balance in their behaviours?

To identify the individual's equilibrium or set-point Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary limitation of the disequilibrium hypothesis?

It does not account for individual differences Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism by which shaping reinforces desired behaviours?

By reinforcing successive approximations to a final desired behaviour Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the therapeutic approach known as behaviour modification?

To promote the development of adaptive behaviours Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the token economy approach?

To provide tokens or symbols that can be exchanged for rewards or privileges Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between classical and instrumental conditioning?

Classical conditioning involves the association of a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary limitation of learning theories of addiction?

They are based on automatic processes and do not take into account human reflective processes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the incentive and pleasure systems of the brain in addiction?

To reinforce drug-seeking behaviours through rewarding effects of drugs Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism by which instinctive drift limits the range of novel behaviours?

By limiting the range of novel behaviours through instinctive predispositions Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of self-behaviour modification?

To analyse and change the ABC approach Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of Ayllon's study in the context of behaviour modification?

To expose patients to high levels of non-psychotic stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism by which addiction progresses through stages?

Through the progression from initiation to maintenance and addiction Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Instrumental Conditioning

Developed by B.F. Skinner, also known as operant conditioning
Uses the Skinner box, a small chamber with a lever or key, devices for delivering food or reinforcers, and sensors to detect the animal's behaviour

Key Concepts

Reinforcement: the process of strengthening a behaviour by delivering a consequence that increases the likelihood of the behaviour occurring again in the future
Positive Reinforcement: a desirable consequence is presented following the behaviour
Negative Reinforcement: an aversive consequence is removed following the behaviour
Secondary Reinforcers: stimuli that acquire their reinforcing properties through association with primary reinforcers (e.g., a clicker paired with food delivery)

Punishment

Punishment: presenting an aversive consequence or removing a desirable stimulus contingent upon the occurrence of behaviour, which decreases the probability of the behaviour occurring again
Positive Punishment: involves presenting an aversive stimulus following the behaviour
Negative Punishment: removal of a desirable stimulus following the behaviour

Factors Affecting Reinforcer Effectiveness

Amount of Reinforcement: the amount of reinforcement received can impact the effectiveness of the reinforcer
Motivational Need of Reinforcer: the degree to which the reinforcer satisfies a biological or physiological need
Contrast Effects: the difference between the reinforcement and the absence of reinforcement
Delay of Reinforcement: the time between the behaviour and the presentation of the reinforcement

Generalisation and Discrimination

Generalisation: the learned behaviour is exhibited in response to stimuli that resemble the original stimulus associated with reinforcement
Discrimination: the organism learns to respond differently to stimuli that signal different consequences

Updates

Relativity of Reinforcement: the value of a reinforcer can vary depending on the context
Premack Principle: high-probability behaviours can serve as reinforcers for low-probability behaviours
Disequilibrium Hypothesis: individuals have a natural balance in their behaviours, and reinforcement can be used to increase or decrease certain behaviours

Applications

Behaviour Modification: a therapeutic approach that aims to change or modify undesirable behaviours
Token Economy: a system that uses tokens or symbols to reinforce desirable behaviours
Self-Behaviour Modification: uses the ABC approach to change behaviour and reinforces it

Addiction

Addiction: the repeated powerful motivation to engage in purposeful behaviour
Stages of Addiction: initiation, maintenance, and addiction
Role of Classical Conditioning: associates drug-related cues with physiological cues
Role of Instrumental Conditioning: reinforces drug-seeking behaviours through rewarding effects of drugs

Limitations of Learning Theories of Addiction

Oversimplification: based on animal research, which may not translate to humans
Automatic Processes: do not take into account human reflective processes
Factors that Make Some Drugs More Addictive: ability to activate the incentive and pleasure systems of the brain, tolerance, withdrawal effects, and long-lasting changes in brain incentive systems

Classical vs Instrumental Conditioning

Key Differences: classical conditioning elicits involuntary and automatic responses, whereas instrumental conditioning responses are voluntary