Behavior Modification: Learning, Reinforcement, and Punishment Principles

Item 2: Behavioral Concepts

1. Define Learning

Learning is the process by which experience produces a permanent change in knowledge or behavior.

3. Define Key Behavioral Terms

• Punishment: A consequence that, immediately after a behavior, lowers the probability that the conduct is repeated.
• Reinforcement: Defined as an event presented immediately after the occurrence of a behavior that increases the likelihood that the conduct is repeated.

Positive Reinforcement

This means that when presented, it increases the chances for a response to occur again. Example: Giving points for participating in class makes a student repeat participation.

Negative Reinforcement

These are consequences that, when removed from the situation, increase the likelihood that the response will occur again. Example: If a child who is misbehaving in class because sitting and listening to the teacher causes anxiety is removed from class, this is reinforcing because the anxiety-provoking stimulus is removed, making it more likely the child will continue to misbehave to achieve removal.

Discriminative Stimulus

This refers to handling the background of behavior by giving cues or signals that provide information about which behaviors are appropriate in the situation. These cues indicate which behaviors lead to positive or negative consequences, or signal when a behavior should or should not occur. Example: The principal standing in the hallway after school is a discriminative stimulus for students to refrain from running, pushing, or yelling.

4. Conditions for Effective Punishment or Reinforcement

For punishment or reinforcement to be effective, the following conditions should apply:

1. Contingency: Temporary punishment will be more effective the smaller the interval of time between the unwanted behavior and the punishment.
2. Consistency: The application must be constant. It is not enough to punish behavior sometimes; it must be punished every time it appears to decrease its occurrence.
3. Strengthen Alternative Behavior: It is not enough to state what conduct should not occur; one must also specify what the individual should do instead.

5. Example of Shaping

Write an example of shaping. (Example in the Annex: The chubby child in Eph. "Game to your wishes") Pull cord instead of another sport.