TOP Ch16: Skinner

What is Skinner's approach called?

Radical behaviorism

What does radical behaviorism avoid?

Hypothetical constructs

What view does Skinner hold about human behavior?

Determinism

What does Skinner emphasize over physiology?

Environmental stimuli

Who influenced Skinner with the law of effect?

Edward Thorndike

What does Thorndike's law of effect state?

Consequences shape responses

Who influenced Skinner's objective study approach?

John Watson

What should psychology study according to Skinner?

Observable behavior

What does Skinner reject as behavior explanations?

Internal motives

What three characteristics define science for Skinner?

Cumulative, empirical, lawful

What does scientific attitude value most?

Empirical observation

What three methods comprise scientific approach?

Prediction, control, description

What is classical conditioning also called?

Respondent conditioning

How is behavior produced in classical conditioning?

Drawn from organism

What did Little Albert learn to fear?

White rat

What is operant conditioning also called?

Skinnerian conditioning

How is behavior produced in operant conditioning?

Emitted by organism

What increases behavior probability in operant conditioning?

Immediate reinforcement

What is the procedure for teaching complex behaviors?

Shaping

What does shaping reinforce?

Successive approximations

What three conditions are present in operant conditioning?

Antecedent, behavior, consequence

What is the antecedent in operant conditioning?

Environmental setting

What results from differential reinforcement history?

Operant discrimination

What is responding to similar new situations called?

Stimulus generalization

What two effects does reinforcement have?

Strengthens and rewards

What is adding beneficial stimulus called?

Positive reinforcement

What is removing aversive stimulus called?

Negative reinforcement

What are five generalized reinforcers?

Attention, approval, affection, submission, tokens

What are secondary reinforcers also called?

Conditioned reinforcers

What type of reinforcer is money?

Generalized conditioned reinforcer

What does punishment aim to do?

Decrease behavior

What does punishment fail to indicate?

What to do instead

What is one effect of punishment?

Suppresses behavior temporarily

What emotion can punishment condition?

Negative feelings

What schedule reinforces every response?

Continuous schedule

What schedule is more resistant to extinction?

Intermittent schedule

What does fixed-ratio schedule depend on?

Number of responses

What does variable-ratio schedule use?

Average response number

What schedule pays after set time periods?

Fixed-interval schedule

What creates gambling behavior?

Variable-ratio schedule

What is extinction in operant conditioning?

Weakening through nonreinforcement

What schedule resists extinction most?

Intermittent schedule

What three forces shape human behavior?

Selection, culture, reinforcement

What does natural selection favor?

Survival-beneficial behaviors

What shaped cultural practices like toolmaking?

Reinforcement history

What does Skinner say about consciousness?

It exists privately

What are drives according to Skinner?

Explanatory fictions

What are intentions physically?

Felt stimuli within

Where do higher mental processes occur?

Within the skin

What is thinking according to Skinner?

Covert behavior

What explains creativity in behaviorism?

Random reinforced variations

What do dreams allow expression of?

Repressed stimuli

What ultimately controls behavior?

Environmental contingencies

What are four social control methods?

Conditioning, describing, deprivation, restraint

What involves informing of consequences?

Describing contingencies

What is one physical control method?

Physical restraint

What variables can people manipulate for self-control?

Environmental variables

What is one self-control technique?

Using physical aids

What are three counteracting strategies?

Escape, revolt, passive resistance

What characterizes passive resistance?

Stubbornness

What results from failed counteracting?

Inappropriate behaviors

What role does therapist play?

Controlling agent

What must patient learn to discriminate?

Punitive vs permissive authority

How does therapist shape behavior?

Reinforcing improved changes

Is Skinner's view deterministic or free will?

Deterministic

What controls human behavior ultimately?

Environmental forces

Is Skinner's view optimistic or pessimistic?

Optimistic

Are people naturally good or evil?

Neither inherently

What causes all behavior?

Past reinforcement history

What shapes personality more: biology or social?

Social environment