Cooper Ch 12 (3rd edition) - Negative Reinforcement

Avoidance contingency

A contingency in which a response prevents or postpones the presentation of a stimulus

Conditioned negative reinforcer

A previously neutral stimulus change that functions as a negative reinforcer because of prior pairing with one or more negative reinforcers

Discriminated avoidance

A contingency in which responding in the presence of a signal prevents the onset of a stimulus from which escape is a reinforcer

Escape contingency

A contingency in which a response terminates (produces escape from) an ongoing stimulus

Free-operant avoidance

A contingency in which responses at any time during an interval prior to the scheduled onset of an aversive stimulus delays the presentation of the aversive stimulus

Negative reinforcement

A contingency in which the occurrence of a response is followed immediately by the termination, reduction, postponement, or avoidance of a stimulus, and which leads to an increase in the future occurrence of similar responses

Unconditioned negative reinforcer

A stimulus that functions as a negative reinforcer as a result of the evolutionary development of the species (phylogeny); no prior learning is involved (e.g., shock, loud noise, intense light, extreme temperatures, strong pressure against the body)

What is social negative reinforcement?

Stimuli termination through the action of another person

What is automatic negative reinforcement?

Stimuli termination as a direct result of the response (i.e., not socially mediated)

What does extinction of a behavior maintained by negative reinforcement look like?

Not allowing a response to avoid or terminate is programmed consequence

Can positive reinforcement treat problem behaviors maintained by negative reinforcement?

Yes