Operant Conditioning /Identifying Consequences Key PDF

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Operant Conditioning and Identifying Consequences recitation worksheet answers...

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Operant Conditioning: Identifying Consequences Please fill in the table with the type of consequence that is described by combining each cell in the table.

Stimulus increases the probability of behavior occurring in the future Stimulus decreases the probability of behavior occurring in the future

Stimulus is presented after behavior occurs

Stimulus is removed after behavior occurs

Positive Reinforcement

Negative Reinforcement

Positive Punishment

Negative Punishment

Now that your table is complete, use it to identify the consequence described below. An example is given to orient you to three steps you should follow to properly identify consequences. Imagine that you have just produced a behavior and one of the consequences listed below follows. Identify the behavior in which you engaged. Using the table as a guide, name that type of consequence. Example: An alarm turns off after you buckle your seatbelt. a. Step 1: Identify the behavior. Answer: Buckling b.

Step 2: Identify whether the consequence will likely increase or decrease the behavior. Answer: If one doesn’t like that noise, then buckling will increase (to turn off the alarm). Since the stimulus increases buckling behavior, the stimulus is a reinforcement.

c.

Step 3: Identify whether the behavior adds or removes a stimulus. Because buckling removes the stimulus (turns off the alarm), the stimulus is negative.

d.

Finally: Put the stimulus together and you will see you have successfully identified a negative reinforcement.

Now, go to the next page and complete the rest on your own. Please be sure to write our each step in your decision making process that lead you to choose a particular type of consequence (follow the example above, in other words).

Here are the remaining items. 2.

You are given candy after you say “please.”

_Positive Reinforcement_

Your answers to Step 1: Saying “please” Step 2: Since people like candy, saying “please” will increase (reinforcement) Step 3: Because saying “please” adds a stimulus (candy), the stimulus is positive Step 4: Positive Reinforcement Now, fill in the blank next to item 2. 3.

You are grounded after swearing.

_Negative Punishment_

Your answers to Step 1: Swearing Step 2: Since being grounded is not fun, swearing will decrease (punishment) Step 3: Because swearing results in a grounding (freedom/entertainment/electronics TAKEN AWAY), the stimulus is negative Step 4: Negative Punishment Now, fill in the blank next to item 3.

4.

You are given extra homework after swearing.

_Positive Punishment_

Your answers to Step 1: Swearing Step 2: Since extra homework is unenjoyable, swearing will decrease (punishment) Step 3: Because swearing results in an addition of a stimulus (homework), the stimulus is positive Step 4: Positive Punishment Now, fill in the blank next to item 4.

5.

You are yelled at after swearing.

_Positive Punishment_

Your answers to Step 1: Swearing Step 2: Since being yelled at is hurtful, swearing will decrease (punishment) Step 3: Because swearing results in the addition of an unenjoyable thing (being yelled at), the stimulus is positive Step 4: Positive Punishment Now, fill in the blank next to item 5.

6.

You are spanked after dropping a wet towel on the floor. Punishment_

_Positive

Your answers to Step 1: Dropping a wet towel Step 2: Since being spanked hurts, dropping wet towels will decrease (punishment) Step 3: Because dropping a wet towel results in the addition of a hurtful action (spank), the stimulus is positive Step 4: Positive Punishment Now, fill in the blank next to item 6.

7.

You receive money after illegally purchasing alcohol.

_Positive

Reinforcement_ Your answers to Step 1: Illegal purchase of Booze Step 2: Since receiving money is enjoyable, the illegal purchase of alcohol will increase (reinforcement) Step 3: Because you receive a stimulus for obtaining spirits, the stimulus is positive Step 4: Positive Reinforcement Now, fill in the blank next to item 7.

8.

A shock is turned off after a rat presses a lever. Your answers to Step 1: Pressing a lever

_Negative Reinforcement_

Step 2: Since no longer being shocked is nice, pressing the lever is increased (reinforcement) Step 3: Because the stimulus is removed (the shock), the stimulus is negative Step 4: Negative Reinforcement Now, fill in the blank next to item 8.

9.

You are put into “time out” after hitting your sibling _Positive Punishment_ Your answers to Step 1: Hitting your sibling Step 2: Since being put in time out is unenjoyable, hitting will decrease (punishment) Step 3: Because being put in time out is the addition of an unenjoyable activity, the stimulus is positive Step 4: Positive Punishment Now, fill in the blank next to item 9. 10. Explain how nagging is a consequence we’d identify as “negative reinforcement”. a.

Nagging a person to do something eventually results in the nagging ending once the person has done the task. Since the nagging (an unenjoyable stimulus) is removed once the task is done, the consequence is a negative reinforcement as an unenjoyable thing is removed, so therefore the behavior is likely to increase....