PSYA01H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Applied Behavior Analysis, Reinforcement, Operant Conditioning
Document Summary
Behaviour analysts study environment interactions by manipulating the relations among components of the three term contingency. Of 3 elements, consequence is the most frequently manipulated variable. Operant behaviours can be followed by 5 different kinds of consequences: Positive reinforcement: an increase in the frequency of a response that is regularly and reliably followed by an appetitive stimulus. Appetitive stimulus is any stimulus that an organism seeks out. A positive reinforcer is an appetitive stimulus that follows a response and increases the frequency of that response. Negative reinforcement: an increase in the frequency of a response that is regularly and reliably followed by the termination of an aversive stimulus. A negative reinforcer is an aversive stimulus that is terminated as soon as a response occurs and increases the frequency of that response. Both negative and positive reinforcement increase the likelihood that a given response will occur again.
