PSY 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Reinforcement

• School: University at Buffalo
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 101
• Professor: Quinton Wendy

Document Summary

Pioneered by skinner- interested in science of behavior. Behaviors involved are voluntarily performed by organism: studying to do well on a test: behavior- more studying, better grade on test, child cleans room to get allowance. Positive (presentation of stimulus) giving something pleasant (feed rat) Negative (removal of stimulus)- taking away something unpleasant (take away shock) Negative reinforcement just means take something away to increase behavior, not punishing for not doing something. Positive (presentation of stimulus)- give something unpleasant (shock the rat) Negative (removal of stimulus)-taking away something pleasant (take away food) Unintended side effects: anxiety, anger, resentment, hostility towards punisher. When possible, reinforce desirable behaviors rather than punishing undesirable behaviors. Punishment works best under certain conditions- apply swiftly, just severe enough, has to be consistent, has to have reasoning and be explained. Continuous reinforcement: every time response is displayed, reinforcement is given. Negative- time and labor intensive, if you stop you get extinction.