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Chapter 14: Problem 3

Give an example from real life or from fiction to illustrate each of the following Skinnerian concepts: (a) response shaping, (b) partial reinforcement, (c) stimulus generalization, (d) discrimination, (e) extinction.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Examples for the Skinnerian concepts are as follows: Response shaping can be seen when training a dog to sit where only the correct response is rewarded. Partial reinforcement is seen in occasional winnings in gambling. Stimulus generalization can occur when a child is afraid of all dogs after being bitten by one. Discrimination is evident when a pigeon is trained to react only to a green light and not a red one for a reward. Extinction occurs when attention-seeking tantrums are ignored, resulting in reduction or cessation of the behavior.

Step by step solution

01

response shaping

Response shaping is a process used in behavioral psychology in which an initial behavior is gradually changed or sculpted into a desired pattern or response. An example of this might be teaching a dog to sit. Initially, the dog is rewarded even for small movements in the right direction, like moving its backside downward. Eventually, it is rewarded only when it fully sits down.
02

partial reinforcement

Partial reinforcement refers to a situation in which a behavior is reinforced only a portion of the time. This concept is frequently employed in gambling. For instance, when playing a slot machine, a win occurs only occasionally, which makes the game more addictive. The intermittent reinforcement makes the behavior more resistant to extinction.
03

stimulus generalization

Stimulus generalization is when the response to a specific stimulus also occurs in response to similar ones. A real-life example is a child who has been bitten by a dog may develop a fear of all dogs, not just the breed or color of dog that bit them.
04

discrimination

Discrimination in Skinnerian terms means the ability to differentiate between different stimuli and respond accordingly. For example, a pigeon might be trained to peck a disk when a green light is turned on for food reward but does nothing when the red light is turned on.
05

extinction

Extinction in behavioral psychology is the reduction or elimination of a response when it is no longer reinforced. An example could be a child who throws tantrums to get attention. If the adults stop responding to the tantrums, the child may initially increases the intensity of the tantrums, but gradually, the behavior will cease when it's not getting the anticipated response.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Skinner argues that operant conditioning is an unselfish and benign form of behavior control, because others must be assured of reinforcement. Yet some critics contend that his ideas represent a serious threat to individual freedom. Which view do you prefer? Why?

According to Skinner, emotion is a predisposition to behave in certain ways that is caused by some external event (such as anger over a drawer that is stuck). Can an emotion such as anger be caused by an event within the individual?

(a) Explain the difference between classical conditioning and operant conditioning. (b) Explain the difference between negative reinforcement and punishment. (c) Explain the difference between Freud's concept of repression and Skinner's view of repression.

Give an example from real life or from fiction to support the following statement by Skinner: A good way to reduce the probability of undesirable behavior is by reinforcing incompatible, desirable behavior.

A terrorist blows up a building in a hated foreign country. How might Skinner explain the terrorist's behavior?
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