Basic Terms
Define Positive and Negative reinforcement
positive: adding something to the environment following a specific behavior that increases the probability of that behavior occurring in the future
negative: removing something from the environment directly after the behavior that will increase the probability of that behavior occurring in the future
What does ABC stand for? Give an example
Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence
Define FR and VR schedules of reinforcement
Fixed Ratio: reinforcement provided after specific # of correct responses (ex: token economy)
Variable Ratio: reinforcement based on an AVERAGE # of responses (ex: lottery tickets)
non-contingent reinforcement
process of reinforcement based on time not behavior
ex: providing attention at regular intervals regardless of behavior
Define extinction
To cease reinforcing a previously reinforced behavior to decrease the behavior’s frequency.
** Must be function based **
Define FI and VI schedules of reinforcement
Fixed Interval: reinforcement follows a specified amount of time (ex: music provided after 10 minutes of work)
Variable Interval: reinforcement provided after an average amount of time (ex: gummy provided after 4 mins, then 6, then 5, to average to VI5 schedule)
Describe the prompt hierarchy.
When should you use least to most versus most to least prompting?
Verbal, gestural, modeling, partial physical, full physical
most to least: useful in teaching new skills in order to build confidence
least to most: skill maintenance
what are the potential consequences of extinction
extinction burst, spontaneous recovery, new maladaptive behaviors may occur
gradually reducing the rate of reinforcement to imitate one found in the natural environment
When should you do DTT? and how long should DTT last?
Within the first hour and a half of the session and it shouldn't last longer than 15-20 minutes
What code do you use for Admin?
PADMIN
What is ratio strain?
If the schedule is thinned too quickly, it can lead ratio strain, where the effort required for reinforcement is too large. This can lead to problem behaviors
4 factors affecting reinforcing powers (hint: DISC)
Deprivation, Immediacy, Size, Contingency
clicker, tally marks, etc.
What schedule is most resistant to extinction? What about least resistant?
most resistant: Variable Ratio
least resistant: CRF or FR1