Advanced Operant Conditioning Procedures
- Theories of Reinforcement
* drive reduction theory: event is reinforcing to the extent that it is associated with reduction in physiological drive
* hunger, thirst, homeostatic body temp, etc
* we want to engage in behaviors that reduce tension
* most theorists no longer believe that drive reduction theory is a comprehensive theory
* incentive motivation: derived from property of reinforcer v internal drive state (getting paid, getting a grade, playing a video game for fun)
* premack principle
* emphasizes observable behavior patterns v hypothetical internal processes
* more objective way to determine whether something can be used as a reinforcer
* reinforcers viewed as behaviors rather than stimuli
* behavior being reinforced
* behavior reinforcer
* high-probability behavior can be used to reinforce low-prob behavior
* first you work, then you play
* response deprivation hypothesis: behavior can serve as reinforcer when access to the behavior is restricted and frequency falls below preferred level of occurrence
* can’t do X at all until you’ve done Y
* behavioral bliss approach: organism w free access to multiple activities will distribute its behavior to maximize overall reinforcement
* will never reach behavioral bliss point but will structure life around reaching it - shaping: gradual creation of new behavior through reinforcement of successive approximations
- positive reinforcement: further distinctions
* more immediate reinforcer ➝ stronger its effect on the behavior
* primary / unconditioned reinforcer ➝ innately reinforcing (food, water)
* secondary / conditioned reinforcer ➝ reinforcing event because associated with other reinforcer (nice clothes, good grades)
* generalized / generalized second reinforcer ➝ reinforcing bc associated with several other reinforcers (ex: money) - intrinsic and extrinsic reinforcement
* intrinsic reinforcement - provided by mere act of performing behavior
* extrinsic reinforcement - provided by some external consequence
* extrinsic rewards usually have little or no effect on intrinsic motivation
* rewards can undermine intrinsic motivation when
* reward is expected
* reward is tangible
* reward is given for performing the activity and not for how well its performed - natural and contrived rewards
* natural reinforcers: typically provided for a certain behavior, expected consequence of the behavior within that setting
* ex: money for working
* contrived / artificial reinforcers: deliberately arranged to modify a behavior. not a typical consequence of the behavior within that setting
* natural reinforcers are more efficient