A Game Terms
What is the difference between a behavior and a response?
Behavior is a class of responses; a response is a single instance of behavior.
Is scratching an itch automatic or socially mediated?
Automatic.
A teacher gives a child candy every time they raise their hand. The hand-raising increases. What is this?
Positive Reinforcement.
A token is given after every 3 correct responses. What schedule is this?
Fixed Ratio (FR 3).
What are the two main types of MOs?
Establishing and Abolishing Operations.
True or False: A stimulus can only be visual.
False – stimuli can be visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, or gustatory.
A child screams and the parent gives them a toy. The screaming increases. Which is it?
Socially mediated reinforcement.
A client’s tantrums decrease after losing tablet time each time they scream. What is this?
Negative Punishment.
In a VR-4 schedule, reinforcement is delivered:
On average every 4 responses, but the exact number varies.
A learner asks for cookies because they haven’t eaten all day. What kind of behavior is that?
Mand.
Define “environment” from a behavior analytic perspective.
All events and stimuli that affect the organism’s behavior, internal or external.
What’s the best way to tell if a consequence is automatic?
If it occurs without others delivering the reinforcement/punishment.
What are the two defining features of reinforcement?
It increases behavior and is delivered after the behavior.
A child is reinforced for brushing teeth at night but not in the morning. Which schedule type could this reflect?
Multiple Schedule.
Saying “milk” after being asked “What do cows give?” is what verbal operant?
Intraverbal.
What’s the difference between ontogeny and phylogeny?
Ontogeny = learning history of the individual; Phylogeny = species-level evolutionary behavior.
Chewing gum because it soothes anxiety is what type of consequence?
Automatic Negative Reinforcement.
A teen starts doing chores more often because they avoid being yelled at. What’s the contingency?
Negative Reinforcement.
What’s the difference between chained and mixed schedules?
Chained = specific order & SDs; Mixed = no SDs & random alternation.
What’s the difference between rule-governed and contingency-shaped behavior?
Rule-governed = based on verbal rules; Contingency-shaped = based on direct reinforcement.
What does the “three-term contingency” include?
Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence.
A child flaps their hands and smiles—no one else is around. Why might this behavior persist?
Automatic Positive Reinforcement.
True or False: Punishment always decreases behavior immediately.
False – punishment decreases future frequency, not just immediately.
In a concurrent schedule, a learner can:
Choose between two or more reinforcement schedules at the same time.
A child says “ball” when they see a ball, hears the word “ball,” and wants the ball. What verbal behavior concept does this illustrate?
Multiple control (convergent).