Automatic and Positive Reinforcement, Negative Reinforcement

Flashcards covering Automatic and Positive Reinforcement, Stimulus Preference Assessment, Progressive-Ratio Reinforcer Assessment, and Negative Reinforcement concepts from the provided lecture notes.

What is the definition of Automatic Reinforcement?

Reinforcement that occurs independently of social mediation.

Why is Automatic Reinforcement important for explaining persistent behaviors?

It explains persistent behaviors (e.g., Self-Injurious Behavior) when social reinforcers are absent.

What are some limitations when labeling a behavior as automatically reinforced?

Not all behaviors respond to ignoring, extinction, or timeout; premature labeling can limit analysis.

According to Skinner's principle, what is Positive Reinforcement?

Behavior increases when followed by a reinforcing stimulus.

What are the three main types of positive reinforcers mentioned in the notes?

Sensory, Tangible, and Activity.

What is the primary purpose of a Stimulus Preference Assessment (SPA)?

To identify stimuli likely to function as reinforcers.

What is one method of Stimulus Preference Assessment that involves verbal interaction?

Asking through surveys or interviews.

How does Free Operant Observation identify potential reinforcers?

By observing engagement with items and measuring duration or frequency.

How are stimuli categorized in trial-based Stimulus Preference Assessments?

As highly preferred (HP), moderately preferred (MP), or lowly preferred (LP).

How is the Single Stimulus presentation method conducted in a Stimulus Preference Assessment?

One item is presented at a time, and the individual's reaction is noted.

Which trial-based Stimulus Preference Assessment method is considered more accurate for identifying reinforcers by presenting two items at a time?

Paired Stimuli, also known as Forced Choice.

In Multiple Stimuli With Replacement (MSWR), what happens to the chosen item after selection?

The chosen item stays in the array for the next trial, and unchosen items are replaced with new ones.

How does Multiple Stimuli Without Replacement (MSWOR) differ from MSWR after an item is chosen?

The chosen item is removed from the array, and the remaining items are rearranged for the next trial.

What is the primary purpose of MSWOR (Multiple Stimuli Without Replacement)?

To help rank-order preferences because items are selected in order of preference.

What is the purpose of a Progressive-Ratio Reinforcer Assessment?

To test the effectiveness of reinforcers as response requirements increase.

Describe the basic procedure of a Progressive-Ratio Reinforcer Assessment.

Response requirements are gradually increased, e.g., from FR-1 to FR-2, FR-5, FR-10, FR-20, to observe preference changes.

What can a Progressive-Ratio Reinforcer Assessment reveal about reinforcers?

It can reveal subtle preferences under higher response requirements and identify substitutable versus non-substitutable reinforcers.

What is the core concept of Positive Reinforcement?

The contingent presentation of a stimulus that causes behavior to increase.

What is the core concept of Negative Reinforcement?

The contingent termination (removal) of a stimulus that causes behavior to increase.

What is the key difference between Positive Reinforcement and Negative Reinforcement?

Positive Reinforcement adds something, while Negative Reinforcement removes something.

Define an Escape contingency.

A response terminates an ongoing aversive stimulus.

Define an Avoidance contingency.

A response prevents the onset of an aversive stimulus.

What is Discriminated Avoidance?

A signal (SD) indicates an upcoming aversive event, and a response is made to avoid it.

How is Free-Operant Avoidance characterized?

A response made at any time delays an aversive stimulus.

What are Unconditioned Negative Reinforcers?

Stimuli whose removal is innately aversive (e.g., shock, pain, loud noise).

How do stimuli become Conditioned Negative Reinforcers?

Previously neutral stimuli acquire reinforcing properties via pairing with aversive events (e.g., parental nagging, an overcast sky).

What is Social Negative Reinforcement?

The termination of an aversive stimulus is mediated by another person.

What is Automatic Negative Reinforcement?

The termination of an aversive stimulus occurs by the individual's own direct action.

What are the four core components of a negative reinforcement contingency?

Establishing Operation (EO), Discriminative Stimulus (SD), Response, and Removal of EO (reinforcer).

What effect does negative reinforcement have on behavior?

It strengthens escape and avoidance behaviors, increasing their future likelihood.

How can repetition of tasks in error-correction function as negative reinforcement?

If correct responding avoids additional work, the termination of the extra work reinforces correct behavior.

What are key aspects to observe when identifying negative reinforcers, especially in nonverbal individuals?

Observe antecedents (EOs) and consequences, looking for subtle cues, task difficulty, session length, and novelty.

What is the goal of teaching socially appropriate alternatives using negative reinforcement?

To reduce problem behavior (e.g., stereotypy) by providing an appropriate means to escape an aversive stimulus (e.g., asking for help).

What are two key ethical considerations regarding the use of negative reinforcement?

Extreme aversive events as EOs are not justified, and there's a risk of inadvertently strengthening problem or competing behaviors.