Behavioral Principles and Concepts Flashcards

Which schedule of reinforcement produces the highest and most consistent rate of responding?

Answer: Variable ratio

Variable ratio schedules produce the highest and most consistent rates of responding because reinforcement is unpredictable, making extinction slow.

When a behavior is reinforced only in the presence of a specific stimulus and not in its absence, that stimulus becomes a:

Answer: Discriminative stimulus (SD)

A discriminative stimulus (SD) signals that reinforcement is available for a particular behavior, making it more likely to occur.

Avoidance behavior is maintained by:

Answer: Negative reinforcement via postponement of an aversive event

Avoidance behavior is negatively reinforced because performing the behavior prevents or postpones an aversive stimulus.

A child throws a tantrum in Store A (where parents have given in) but not in Store B (where they never give in). This demonstrates:

Answer: Stimulus discrimination

Stimulus discrimination occurs when a behavior differs across settings based on the reinforcement history associated with each setting.

The concept of 'behavioral momentum' suggests that behaviors with a strong history of reinforcement:

Answer: Are more resistant to change and disruption

Behavioral momentum describes how behaviors with a high reinforcement history are more resistant to change, analogous to physical momentum.

Which of the following is an example of a conditioned punisher?

Answer: A warning sign that precedes a speeding ticket

A conditioned punisher acquires its punishing function through pairing with other punishers, such as a warning sign paired with subsequent fines.

When a therapist delivers reinforcement following any instance of a target behavior regardless of time elapsed, this is called:

Answer: Continuous reinforcement (CRF)

Continuous reinforcement (CRF) means every occurrence of the target behavior is reinforced, which is ideal for initial skill acquisition.