4010 Exam 1
Describe the positive reinforcement hypothesis of problematic behavior - ANS-SIB is a
LEARNED OPERANT maintained by SOCIAL POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT, which is
delivered (CONTINGENT UPON PERFORMANCE/OCCURRENCE OF THE
BEHAVIOR). This hypothesis suggests that the FREQUENCY of SIB should decrease
(when CONSEQUENCES MAINTAINING THE BEHAVIOR ARE
WITHHELD/DISCONTINUED)
What evidence supports the positive reinforcement hypotheses? (List 2) - ANS-SIB
increased with contingent attention & tangibles
SIB reduced when social reinforcers withdrawn/withheld
SIB increased in presence of others (SD)
SIB increased (extinction burst) at the beginning of isolation period
Describe the negative reinforcement hypothesis of problematic behavior. - ANS-SIB is a
learned operant maintained by the termination or avoidance of an aversive stimulation
contingent upon the occurrence of a self-injurious act.
What evidence supports this (list 2)? - ANS-Increase during aversive stimulation
End when demands stop
End with signal associated with termination
Rate increases over the course of a session show schedule effects (FI scallop)
Briefly describe the experiment conducted by Carr, Newsom and Binkoff (1976). What
may one expect if demands are aversive stimuli and SIB is an escape response? -
ANS-One may expect A) SIB should cease upon the onset of a stimulus correlated with
the termination of demands and B) SIB should, under certain circumstances, show the
schedule properties exhibited by other behavior under aversive control.
The Carr et al. study found that A) when the child was presented with the safety signal
"OK, let's go," the child immediately stopped hitting themselves and B) the child's rate of
SIB during the demand sessions showed a scalloped pattern (FI schedule of
reinforcement)
According to Carr, what procedure would serve as escape extinction for SIB maintained
by escape from demands? - ANS-Demands would not be withdrawn if child was
engaging in SIB
, Describe the self stimulation hypothesis - ANS-This hypothesis holds that a certain level
of stimulation, particularly in the tactile, vestibular, & kinesthetic modalities, is necessary
for the organism, and that when such stimulation occurs at an insufficient level, the
organism may engage in stereotyped behaviors, including SIB. (AKA automatic
reinforcement)
What evidence supports this (list 1)? - ANS--Effectiveness of stimulation as treatment
(negative correlation between object manipulation and stereotypy frequency)
-Head banging in orphans restricted to cribs without toys
Describe automatic positive reinforcement: - ANS-Production of reinforcing stimuli
occurs naturally-not delivered, or mediated by another person. Ex. Visual stimulation
occurs following/as a direct result of eye poking
Describe automatic negative reinforcement: - ANS-Elimination or termination of aversive
stimulation occurs without human intervention or mediation. Ex. Scratching alleviates or
lessens itching
Describe and state the purpose of Iwata's social disapproval condition: - ANS-Describe:
Experimenter and participant are in a room with toys. The experimenter "does work"
and ignores the participant. Contingent on SIB, attention (in the form of statements of
concern/disapproval and brief physical contact) is delivered.
Purpose: To assess whether this type of reinforcement contingency (social positive
reinforcement in the form of attention) might maintain self-injury.
Discuss the basic behavioral principles (discriminative stimuli, EOs, etc.) involved in
antecedent/consequent conditions of the Social Disapproval condition. -
ANS-Antecedents:
Toys/leisure materials within reach - AO's for self-stimulatory & tangible access SIB
Therapist present-(SD for attention) but not attending- (EO for attention maintained SIB)
Consequences:
When problem behavior occurs, the therapist delivers attention in the form of
statements of concern or disapproval combined with touch such as a pat on the
shoulder. A stimulus event is added, thus positive. Problem behavior occurring at high
levels in this condition, indicates SIB is sensitive to attention as a reinforcer and thus
may be maintained by social-positive reinforcement
Describe and state the purpose of the academic demand condition: - ANS-Describe:
Educational tasks selected were based on individual evaluations. Experimenter and
subject are seated at a table and the experimenter presents learning trials using a 3
Describe the positive reinforcement hypothesis of problematic behavior - ANS-SIB is a
LEARNED OPERANT maintained by SOCIAL POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT, which is
delivered (CONTINGENT UPON PERFORMANCE/OCCURRENCE OF THE
BEHAVIOR). This hypothesis suggests that the FREQUENCY of SIB should decrease
(when CONSEQUENCES MAINTAINING THE BEHAVIOR ARE
WITHHELD/DISCONTINUED)
What evidence supports the positive reinforcement hypotheses? (List 2) - ANS-SIB
increased with contingent attention & tangibles
SIB reduced when social reinforcers withdrawn/withheld
SIB increased in presence of others (SD)
SIB increased (extinction burst) at the beginning of isolation period
Describe the negative reinforcement hypothesis of problematic behavior. - ANS-SIB is a
learned operant maintained by the termination or avoidance of an aversive stimulation
contingent upon the occurrence of a self-injurious act.
What evidence supports this (list 2)? - ANS-Increase during aversive stimulation
End when demands stop
End with signal associated with termination
Rate increases over the course of a session show schedule effects (FI scallop)
Briefly describe the experiment conducted by Carr, Newsom and Binkoff (1976). What
may one expect if demands are aversive stimuli and SIB is an escape response? -
ANS-One may expect A) SIB should cease upon the onset of a stimulus correlated with
the termination of demands and B) SIB should, under certain circumstances, show the
schedule properties exhibited by other behavior under aversive control.
The Carr et al. study found that A) when the child was presented with the safety signal
"OK, let's go," the child immediately stopped hitting themselves and B) the child's rate of
SIB during the demand sessions showed a scalloped pattern (FI schedule of
reinforcement)
According to Carr, what procedure would serve as escape extinction for SIB maintained
by escape from demands? - ANS-Demands would not be withdrawn if child was
engaging in SIB
, Describe the self stimulation hypothesis - ANS-This hypothesis holds that a certain level
of stimulation, particularly in the tactile, vestibular, & kinesthetic modalities, is necessary
for the organism, and that when such stimulation occurs at an insufficient level, the
organism may engage in stereotyped behaviors, including SIB. (AKA automatic
reinforcement)
What evidence supports this (list 1)? - ANS--Effectiveness of stimulation as treatment
(negative correlation between object manipulation and stereotypy frequency)
-Head banging in orphans restricted to cribs without toys
Describe automatic positive reinforcement: - ANS-Production of reinforcing stimuli
occurs naturally-not delivered, or mediated by another person. Ex. Visual stimulation
occurs following/as a direct result of eye poking
Describe automatic negative reinforcement: - ANS-Elimination or termination of aversive
stimulation occurs without human intervention or mediation. Ex. Scratching alleviates or
lessens itching
Describe and state the purpose of Iwata's social disapproval condition: - ANS-Describe:
Experimenter and participant are in a room with toys. The experimenter "does work"
and ignores the participant. Contingent on SIB, attention (in the form of statements of
concern/disapproval and brief physical contact) is delivered.
Purpose: To assess whether this type of reinforcement contingency (social positive
reinforcement in the form of attention) might maintain self-injury.
Discuss the basic behavioral principles (discriminative stimuli, EOs, etc.) involved in
antecedent/consequent conditions of the Social Disapproval condition. -
ANS-Antecedents:
Toys/leisure materials within reach - AO's for self-stimulatory & tangible access SIB
Therapist present-(SD for attention) but not attending- (EO for attention maintained SIB)
Consequences:
When problem behavior occurs, the therapist delivers attention in the form of
statements of concern or disapproval combined with touch such as a pat on the
shoulder. A stimulus event is added, thus positive. Problem behavior occurring at high
levels in this condition, indicates SIB is sensitive to attention as a reinforcer and thus
may be maintained by social-positive reinforcement
Describe and state the purpose of the academic demand condition: - ANS-Describe:
Educational tasks selected were based on individual evaluations. Experimenter and
subject are seated at a table and the experimenter presents learning trials using a 3
