Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
A generalized reinforcer is a conditioned reinforcer that has obtained the reinforcing function by pairing with many other reinforcers and functions as a reinforcer under a wide-variety of motivating operations. (One example of this is money because it is paired with many other reinforcers). [14]: 83
The hypothesis states that the greater improvement in temporal proximity to reinforcement (delay reduction) correlated with the onset of a stimulus, the more effectively that stimulus will function as a conditional reinforcer.
Operant conditioning originated with Edward Thorndike, whose law of effect theorised that behaviors arise as a result of consequences as satisfying or discomforting. In the 20th century, operant conditioning was studied by behavioral psychologists, who believed that much of mind and behaviour is explained through environmental conditioning.
Classical conditioning occurs when a conditioned stimulus (CS) is paired with an unconditioned stimulus (US). Usually, the conditioned stimulus is a neutral stimulus (e.g., the sound of a tuning fork), the unconditioned stimulus is biologically potent (e.g., the taste of food) and the unconditioned response (UR) to the unconditioned stimulus is an unlearned reflex response (e.g., salivation).
ABA is an applied science devoted to developing procedures which will produce observable changes in behavior. [3] [9] It is to be distinguished from the experimental analysis of behavior, which focuses on basic experimental research, [10] but it uses principles developed by such research, in particular operant conditioning and classical conditioning.
Reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) proposes three brain-behavioral systems that underlie individual differences in sensitivity to reward, punishment, and motivation. While not originally defined as a theory of personality , the RST has been used to study and predict anxiety , impulsivity , and extraversion . [ 1 ]
Less technically, a tact is a label. For example, a child may see their pet dog and say "dog"; the nonverbal stimulus (dog) evoked the response "dog" which is maintained by praise (or generalized conditioned reinforcement) "you're right, that is a dog!" Chapter five of Skinner's Verbal Behavior discusses the tact in depth.
The experimental analysis of behavior is a science that studies the behavior of individuals across a variety of species. A key early scientist was B. F. Skinner who discovered operant behavior, reinforcers, secondary reinforcers, contingencies of reinforcement, stimulus control, shaping, intermittent schedules, discrimination, and generalization.