Principles of ABA SG6 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is an operant and what is an operant class?

An operant is a collection of response topographies maintained by the same thing. An operant class is collections of response topographies defined by their maintaining variables.

Define shaping.

Differential reinforcement of successive approximations of some terminal response topography.

Define differential reinforcement.

Application of reinforcement of some responses and extinction of others.

What are stimulus and response generalization?

Stimulus generalization is the spread of the effects of reinforcement to stimuli similar to those associated with reinforced responding; response generalization is the spread of effects to responses similar to those reinforced. Signup and view all the answers

What are discrimination and differentiation?

Discrimination is differential responding in the presence of stimuli associated with reinforcement; differentiation is the differential occurrence of reinforced responses. Signup and view all the answers

Distinguish between descriptive and functional response classes.

A descriptive response class refers to the behavior being reinforced, while a functional response class refers to behavior generated by reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the importance of defining response classes functionally.

It is more useful to categorize behavior according to controlling variables than by response form. Signup and view all the answers

Describe some temporal properties of behavior.

The distribution of responding in time. Signup and view all the answers

Define IRT.

Interresponse time: reinforcement based on the spacing of time of individual responses. Signup and view all the answers

What are DRL and DRH schedules?

DRL (differential reinforcement of a low rate) bases reinforcement on any response that has an IRT greater than X; DRH (differential reinforcement of a high rate) bases reinforcement on any response that has an IRT less than X. Signup and view all the answers

What is a DRO schedule?

Reinforcing the absence of behavior, which may involve negative punishment. Signup and view all the answers

What is a response chain?

A series of behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

What is discrimination?

Differential responding in the presence of different stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What is a discriminated operant?

Behavior defined by both the stimulus occasioning it and the reinforcer maintaining it. Signup and view all the answers

What is a discriminative stimulus?

A stimulus that differentially signals the availability of reinforcement for responding. Signup and view all the answers

What is a generalization gradient?

A plot showing the relative frequency of responding across stimulus or response dimensions. Signup and view all the answers

Define peak shift.

Overlaying an inhibitory gradient over a generalization gradient. Signup and view all the answers

What is an inhibitory gradient?

A plot showing the spread of effects of extinction to stimuli similar to the S-delta. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Operants and Operant Classes

An operant is a collection of response topographies maintained by the same environmental variable.
An operant class consists of collections of response topographies defined by their maintaining variables, showing covariation under similar environmental conditions.
Response classes include responses elicited by similar stimuli, distinguishing operant behavior (sensitive to consequences) from respondent behavior (insensitive).

Shaping

Shaping involves differential reinforcement of successive approximations towards a terminal response topography, such as gradually encouraging a child to eat new foods.

Differential Reinforcement

Differential reinforcement applies reinforcement to certain responses while simultaneously extinguishing others.

Generalization

Stimulus generalization refers to the effects of reinforcement spreading to stimuli that are similar to previously reinforced stimuli.
Response generalization involves reinforcement effects spreading to responses that are similar to those that have been reinforced.

Discrimination and Differentiation

Discrimination is the differential responding in presence of stimuli linked to reinforcement.
Differentiation refers to the varying occurrence of reinforced responses.

Response Classes

Descriptive response classes focus on behaviors being reinforced, while functional response classes arise from behaviors that generate reinforcement, encompassing both descriptive operants and generalization.

Importance of Functional Definitions

Categorizing behavior based on controlling variables is more valuable than focusing solely on response form for prediction purposes.

Temporal Properties of Behavior

Behavior is distributed in time, reflecting various patterns in response occurrences.

Interresponse Time (IRT)

IRT measures the time interval between individual responses, influencing reinforcement strategies.

Differential Reinforcement Schedules

DRL (Differential Reinforcement of Low Rate): Reinforcement is based on an IRT greater than a specified value.
DRH (Differential Reinforcement of High Rate): Reinforcement is dependent on an IRT less than a specified value.

DRO Schedule

DRO (Differential Reinforcement of Other Behaviors) reinforces the absence of a specific behavior, effectively acting as negative punishment.
For instance, earning a paycheck can depend on being punctual for meetings.

Response Chains

A response chain consists of a series of behaviors, while breaking responses into steps is termed a task analysis, not a response chain.

Discriminated Operants

A discriminated operant is defined by its occasioning stimulus and maintaining reinforcer; both contributing to the behavior's occurrence.

Discriminative Stimulus

A discriminative stimulus signals the availability of reinforcement due to a history of reinforcement associated with responding in its presence.

Generalization Gradient

A generalization gradient illustrates the relative frequency of responses across stimulus or response dimensions.

Peak Shift

Peak shift refers to the phenomenon where an inhibitory gradient overlays a generalization gradient, affecting response patterns.

Inhibitory Gradient

An inhibitory gradient visualizes the spread of extinction effects to stimuli resembling the S-delta.

Fading

Fading is a method used to progressively reduce prompts or assistance to promote independent responding.

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Description

Explore key concepts in Applied Behavior Analysis with these flashcards, focusing on operants and operant classes. Understand how different response topographies maintain consistency in behavior through environmental manipulations. Perfect for students looking to strengthen their ABA knowledge.