Assignment #2 Deadline changed to JUNE 4 th Will mostly focus on Ch 7 Talk about that after the midterm on Monday Topics will be announced on Monday

Operant Punishment

Contingencies Response Rate: IncreasesDecreases Removed Presented Response Causes Stimulus to Be: Positive Reinforcement Negative Reinforcement Positive Punishment Negative Punishment Lever press --> Food Lever press --> Shock off Lever press --> Shock Lever press --> Food removed

Examples Positive Aversive stimulus is ADDED Spanking, shock Negative Appetitive stimulus is REMOVED Time-outs, grounding, no dessert, food taken away Fines??

Contingency Correlation between behaviour & outcome Strong contingency --> better learning Random contingency --> no learning Both reinforcement and punishment

Contiguity Time between behaviour & outcome Shorter = better learning More important for punishment Distraction more likely in punishment than reinforcement Common violations

Punisher Characteristics Qualitative differences in punishers Species & individual differences Intensity of punisher Introductory level of punishment Similar (but opposite) to learned helplessness

Reinforcement of punished behaviour How rewarding is the behaviour itself? Related to deprivation levels Alternative sources of reinforcement Real applications

Disruption Theory Incompatible behaviour Punished behaviour is suppressed Problems Intensity of punisher Contingency

Two-Process Theory (revisited) Same theory we talked about for escape/avoidance Classical & Operant Same problems as before Proximity to punished stimulus

One-Process Theory (revisited) Symmetry with reinforcement Premack principle Low-probability behaviour punishes high-probability behaviour

Benefits Short-term effectiveness Reinforcing Powerful & Fast Rapid and substantial reduction in behaviour Beneficial?

Problems Application of punishers Punishment generally not used correctly Tolerance Start with strong punisher Gradually reduce General reluctance to administer

Possible Consequences of Punishment Escape Aggression At punisher, self, other Apathy General suppression of other behaviours Abuse Permanent damage Imitation

Response Prevention Make it impossible to do punishable behaviour Subject can circumvent this Best with younger children

Extinction Identify reinforcer of behaviour Withhold reinforcer … extinction of behaviour Often difficult to identify the reinforcer Extinction bursts problematic Not a rapid solution

Differential Reinforcement Four Types: DRL: Differential reinforcement of low responses DRO: Differential reinforcement of zero responses DRI: Differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviour DRA: Differential reinforcement of alternative behaviour

DRL Differential reinforcement of low responses Only reinforce behaviour when response occurs at low frequency Good for reducing RATE of behaviour e.g. pigeon pecking at key light Reinforce ONLY if at least 2 seconds in between pecks e.g. too many compliments

DRO Differential reinforcement of zero responses or DR of Omission of behaviour Reinforcement contingent on not performing behaviour at all (in some time period) Very similar to DRL, but goal is to eliminate behaviour

DRI Differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviour Reinforce behaviour incompatible with undesired response e.g. riding bike vs playing video game

DRA Differential reinforcement of alternative behaviour Reinforcer gained from undesired behaviour now only available when some alternative behaviour done Alternate source of reinforcement Used more in cases where DRI is not an option

Noncontingent Reinforcement Provide desired reinforcer on regular basis regardless of what is being done No correlation between response and outcome May work because subject gets reinforcer for “free” Problems if reinforcer comes after some other undesired behaviour (new acquisition) Chivalrous Charlie example (p. 87 of workbook)

Negative Punishment Removal of pleasant stimulus Time-out Popular in human behaviour modification

Other Techniques for Behavioural Deceleration Overcorrection Repetitions of alternate, desired behaviour Restitution Positive practice Technically, punishment Stimulus satiation

Latent Learning Motivation Learning behaviour Performing behaviour

Tolman & Honzig (1930) day 11 Average Errors Days No food Food reward No food reward until day 11

Maze blockages Start Box Goal