Psyc 390 – of

Extinction

• The failure of a response to product a and reinforcer causes the response to Ways to Decrease a Response decrease until the organism no longer emits the response. Psychology 390 • When reinforcers are no longer Psychology of Learning provided, the behavior stops Steven E. Meier, Ph.D.

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Psyc 390 – Psychology of Learning Psyc 390 – Psychology of Learning Extinction Burst Extinction Burst

When you begin to stop delivering a Extinction Burst reinforcer, the behavior first increases before it decreases to zero.

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Extinction Burst Factors that Influence Extinction

• Size of the Reinforcer • Great er the s iz e, the lo nger it t akes .

• Delay of the Reinforcer. Extinction Burst • If you occasionally the reinforcer is delayed, the response will take longer to extinguish.

• Partial Schedules • Intermittent reinforcement schedules take lo nger t o ex t inguis h.

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Punishment Punishment

• Is a very misused procedure • Often is used in ways where behavioral changes do not ultimately occur (Criminal Justice System). • Often is used when using a reinforcement procedure would get better results.

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Two Classic Papers Azrin and Holz

• Punishment by Azrin and Holz • Definition – • Punishment by Campbell and Church • A consequence of a behavior that reduces the future probability of that behavior.

• Is a reduction of the future probability of a specific response as a result of the immediate delivery of a stimulus for that response.

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Azrin and Holz Important Aspects

• The stimulus is called the punishing • The definition is not in terms of subjective stimulus. feelings or states of being. • Something is not a punishing stimulus just • The process is called punishment. because it makes you unhappy.

• A specific event must be produced by a specific respo nse in o rder fo r it to be considered a punishing stimulus • Simple decreases in responding are not sufficient reasons to classify a procedure as punishment.

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2 Psyc 390 – Psychology of Learning Psyc 390 – Psychology of Learning Requirements for an Ideal Punishing Requirements for an Ideal Punishing Stimulus. Stimulus.

• Must have precise physical • The organism must not be able to perform behaviors to reduce or escape from the specification. aversive stimulus. • Must be able to be measured accurately. • Cannot perform unauthorized escape behavior.

• There must be few skeletal reactions to the • Must have constancy in terms of actual stimulus contact it makes with a subject. • Cannot paralyze the organism. • A stimulus measured at its source may • The punishing stimulus must have the be different from its contact on the capability to be varied over a wide range of organism. values.

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Types of Punishing Stimuli Delivery Techniques

•Many types • Traditionally – Use a Operant Chamber •Air blast • Skinner •Noise •Electric shock •Smells •Water Mist

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Psyc 390 – Psychology of Learning Psyc 390 – Psychology of Learning Difference Between Positive Punishment Two Different Types of Punishment and Negative Reinforcement.

Positive Punishment • In Positive Punishment, the response is When a response is followed by a followed by something aversive and the stimulus and the behavior decreases, behavior decreases. the procedure is called positive punishment and the stimulus is called a • In Negative Reinforcement, the punisher. response is followed by the removal of an aversive stimulus and the behavior e.g., Response is followed by a Zap increases.

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Negative Punishment Response Cost (RC)

•Two types • In response cost the response is followed by the removal of a goodie and the behavior decreases. • Is not like positive punishment where you give something aversive and the behavior decreases. • Kid yells in the house and parents take away its TV time.

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Psyc 390 – Psychology of Learning Psyc 390 – Psychology of Learning Time Out (From Positive Reinforcement) Problem

• In Time Out, the response is followed • The neutral situation may have by the removal of the reinforcing reinforcers. Must make sure there are stimulus and the behavior decreases in no reinforcers are available. frequency. • e.g., Kid yells • Generally, the organism is placed in a • Parent says “Go to your room.” neutral situation where no reinforcers or • What’s in the room - TOYS stimuli are available. • Alternative, sit on your bed quietly • e.g., Kid yells in the house and parents place the kid in the corner. • Not many stimuli or things to do on the bed.

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Next Section

Variables that are related to punishment

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