ch. 16: establishing behaviour by escape and avoidance conditioning

escape conditioning (negative reinforcement)

the removal of an aversive stimulus immediately after the occurrence of a behaviour will increase the likelihood of that behaviour

example of escape conditioning

the loud tone occurring when Joanne slouches. the loud tone is removed immediately after fixing her postire

escape extinction

where a previously reinforced behaviour is not followed by a reinforcer, the person is less likely to respond

example of escape extinction

the loud tone still being present even after Joanne fixed her posture, she would be less likely to continue to have good posture

avoidance conditioning

when a specific behaviour prevents an aversive stimulus from occurring, which increases the frequency of that behaviour

difference beteween escape response and avoidance response

escape response removes the aversive stimulus that has already occurred

avoidance response prevents the aversive stimulus from occurring at all

warning stimulus

a stimulus that signals a forthcoming aversive stimulus, under avoidance conditioning

discriminated avoidance conditioning

when a warning signal enables the individual to discriminate a forthcoming aversive stimulus

sidman avoidance conditioning

type of avoidance schedule that does not involve a warning stimulus

target response postpones delivery of aversive stimulus

example of sidman avoidance conditioning

there are no mosquitos buzzing on the first tee at golf, but the golfer applies insect repellent as a precaution

3 things that maintain avoidance responses

• termination of warning stimulus

• termination of anxiety from warning stimulus

• cessation of unpleasant thoughts