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

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