S

Behavior Modification

Decreasing Behavior, Extinction, Stimulus Control

Other schedules – to DECREASE behavior

Odd – you can use reinforcement to decrease rates of behavior. This is because reinforcment schedules MAINTAIN

behavior at a given rate – and as you change the schedule you get a clear effect on behavior.

These are NOT punishment.

DRL

Differential Reinforcement of low rates of behavior What is DIFFERENTIAL?

DRL – limited responding Given number of responses is allowed over a time period

in order to receive Sr.

DRL – spaced responding Response does not occur for a given time, and then after

that period has passed – the first response will be reinforced.

DR0

Reinforcer only occurs if a given response does not happen during a given time If the unwanted behavior happens during the interval,

the interval resets.

There is a logical problem with this Prefer the term differential reinforcement of OTHER

responding (not zero).

Change the duration to make it more successful – start small.

DRI

Differential reinforcement of INCOMPATIBLE responding.

The response being reinforced MUST prevent the undesirable response from occurring. They cannot be performed at the same time.

Sitting and standing

DRA

Differential reinforcement of Alternative responding.

Similar to DRI, but the response just has to be different than the unwanted behavior – not necessarily incompatible.

Decreasing behavior - Extinction

If a previously emitted response is not followed by a reinforcer then the person is less likely to do that behavior in that situation in the future.

It does not work on the first trial It is a gradual decrease

Factors influencing extinction

Control of the reinforcers You must be able to actually control the source of the reinforcers in

order to remove access to them Other people can effect your extinction program It does not necessarily generalize to different environments Functional assessment – must ensure that the reinforcer being withheld

is actually the one maintaining the behavior.

Extinguish one behavior while reinforcing another – in the same context. Try to use the same reinforcer if possible

Setting is important Minimize alternative SR Maximize the chance of the behavior modifier sticking with the program

More factors

Make use of rules

The schedule of SR effects the speed of extinction

Extinction bursts

Produces aggression in some cases – also produces frustration

Spontaneous recovery.

The 3 term contingency

Any behavior can be viewed in terms of a 3 term contingency Stimulus (discriminative) – response – stimulus

(reinforcer) The controlling factor is the consequence But it does so in a given context The ability of this context to generalize is susceptible to

new or existing consequences The ability of the behavior to generalize is susceptible to

new or existing consequences

Stimulus control

Not all behavior is maintained by the same consequences in different situations or reinforced at all.

Behavior that is reinforced in the presence of one stimulus and not another comes under STIMULUS CONTROL. Where that stimulus indicates that a particular behavior will

receive reinforcement Stimulus control is the degree of correlation between a

stimulus and a particular response The stimulus gives information about the consequences

Types of controlling stimuli

Sd – indicates that a reinforcer is available for a given behavior

SΔ – indicates that no reinforcement is available for a given behavior

A given stimulus can serve as both for different behaviors in the same context

Stimulus generalization

A behavior becomes more likely in a new situation as a result of being reinforced in another one. Similarity is a big part of this But what about things that aren’t similar?

Classes – concepts (must know what makes up a concept, and what doesn’t – discrimination and generalization)

Discrimination training

To develop stimulus control Make the Sd distinct Minimize error

Add verbal cues – make incorrect responses impossible Give many trials Use rules