Psychology Chapter 5 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Explain what an unconditioned reinforcer is. Give two examples.

Unconditioned reinforcers are stimuli which are reinforcing without prior learning. Examples include food for someone who has not eaten for several hours and water for someone who has not had a drink for several hours.

Explain what a conditioned reinforcer is. Give and explain two examples.

A conditioned reinforcer is a stimulus that acquires reinforcing power through association with a reinforcing stimulus. An example is a dollar bill, which becomes reinforcing after being paired with purchases in stores.

Explain what a backup reinforcer is. Give and explain two examples.

A backup reinforcer is a reinforcer on which a conditioned reinforcer is based. Examples include money exchanged for poker chips at a game, where money serves as the backup reinforcer.

What were the backup reinforcers in Erin's program?

The backup reinforcers included time on Facebook or YouTube. Signup and view all the answers

Describe a target behavior of yours that you would like to improve that might be amenable to a points program like Erin's. What would you use as backup reinforcers for the points?

Any appropriate example is acceptable. Signup and view all the answers

What are tokens?

Tokens are conditioned reinforcers that can be accumulated and exchanged for other reinforcers. Signup and view all the answers

Explain in two or three sentences what a token economy is.

A token economy is a behavior modification program that uses tokens to reinforce desirable behavior. Tokens can be exchanged for more powerful reinforcers called backup reinforcers. Signup and view all the answers

Is money a token? Justify your answer.

True Signup and view all the answers

Give two examples of stimuli that are conditioned reinforcers but not tokens. Explain why they are conditioned reinforcers, and why they are not tokens.

Examples include praise and the sight of a loved one. They are conditioned reinforcers because they are associated with powerful reinforcers, but they are not tokens because they cannot be accumulated or exchanged. Signup and view all the answers

Explain what a conditioned punisher is. Give and explain two examples.

A conditioned punisher is a stimulus that acquires punishing power through association with a punishing stimulus. Examples include criticism and the sight of a mugger in a dark alley. Signup and view all the answers

Distinguish between a simple conditioned reinforcer and a generalized conditioned reinforcer. Explain why a generalized conditioned reinforcer is more effective than a simple conditioned reinforcer.

A simple conditioned reinforcer is paired with a single backup reinforcer, while a generalized reinforcer is based on multiple backup reinforcers. A generalized conditioned reinforcer is more effective because at least one of the backup reinforcers should be powerful enough to maintain its reinforcing effectiveness. Signup and view all the answers

Is praise a generalized conditioned reinforcer? Defend your answer.

True Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Unconditioned Reinforcers

Unconditioned reinforcers are naturally reinforcing stimuli that require no prior learning.
Examples include food for someone who is hungry and water for someone who is thirsty.

Conditioned Reinforcers

Conditioned reinforcers are stimuli that gain reinforcing power through association with unconditioned reinforcers.
A dollar bill, initially not reinforcing for a child, becomes effective after association with purchasing experiences.
Other valid examples can include praise or tokens that are tied to other rewards.

Backup Reinforcers

Backup reinforcers are the actual rewards exchanged for conditioned reinforcers in a token system.
Examples include money for poker chips or time on social media for accumulated points.

Erin's Program

Backup reinforcers in Erin's program included time spent on Facebook or YouTube.

Target Behavior and Points Program

Students should think of personalized target behaviors and corresponding backup reinforcers that would motivate improvement.

Tokens

Tokens are a specific type of conditioned reinforcer that can be accrued and exchanged for backup reinforcers.

Token Economy

A token economy refers to a behavioral modification system using tokens to reinforce desirable behaviors, exchangeable for more substantial backup reinforcers.

Money as a Token

Money qualifies as a token since it can be accumulated and used to acquire various backup reinforcers.

Conditioned Reinforcers That Are Not Tokens

Examples of conditioned reinforcers that aren't tokens include praise or a familiar voice, associated with emotions or memories rather than being exchangeable.

Conditioned Punishers

Conditioned punishers are stimuli that acquire aversive power through association with punishing stimuli.
Examples include criticism and the presence of a threatening figure.

Simple vs. Generalized Conditioned Reinforcers

Simple conditioned reinforcers are linked to a single backup reinforcer, while generalized reinforcers have connections to multiple backups.
Generalized reinforcers are often more effective due to the availability of various powerful backup reinforcers.

Praise as a Generalized Conditioned Reinforcer

Praise is generally considered a generalized conditioned reinforcer, as it is linked to diverse favorable outcomes and parental attention.

Points in Erin's Program

The effectiveness of points in Erin's program can be assessed in relation to their quality as generalized conditioned reinforcers, allowing insights into behavior modification strategies.

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Description

Test your knowledge with this set of flashcards covering key concepts from Chapter 5 of psychology. Learn about unconditioned reinforcers and their significance in behavioral psychology. Perfect for students wanting to reinforce their understanding of basic psychological principles.