1. Establishing Behavior by Escape and Avoidance Conditioning
Chapter 13
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2. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Escape Conditioning
Removal of aversive stimuli after response, increases likelihood of response
Negative reinforcement
Aversive stimulus must be present for desired response to occur
Preparatory training for Avoidance Conditioning
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3. Examples of Escape Conditioning
The associated text is “See Table 13-1 for other examples of escape conditioning.” (page 161)
Examples of Escape Conditioning
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4. Avoidance Conditioning
Behavior will increase in frequency if it prevents an aversive stimulus from occurring.
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5. Avoidance Conditioning
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6. Discriminated Avoidance Conditioning
Involves a warning signal of a forthcoming aversive stimulus
Synonyms: conditioned aversive stimulus, conditioned punisher
A conditioned aversive stimulus is also a conditioned punisher; that is, it will suppress the occurrence of any response that it follows
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7. Pitfall of Escape and Avoidance Conditioning
Undesirable behavior may be strengthened
Inadvertent establishment of conditioned aversive stimuli
Individual responds by avoiding or escaping them
Maintains undesirable behaviors of the teacher or other caregivers
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8. Guidelines for the Effective Application
Avoidance procedure preferable over escape procedure
Target behavior should be established by escape conditioning before it is put on an avoidance procedure
Use warning signal to signal impending aversive stimulus during avoidance conditioning
Use escape and avoidance conditioning cautiously
Use positive reinforcement in conjunction with escape and avoidance conditioning
Individuals should be told about the contingencies
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