Psychology 3202

Study Guide - Test 4

1. Be able to define FR, VR, FI, and VI schedules of reinforcement.

2. Be able to recognize and describe the patterns of responding that develop under FR, VR, FI, and VI schedules of reinforcement.

3. Be able to recognize and describe the patterns of responding that develop under FR, VR, FI, and VI schedules of reinforcement as they would appear on a cumulative record.

4. Be able to identify the schedule of reinforcement in operation in a concrete situation and make predictions about the expected patterns of behavior.

5. Be able to predict the amount of behavior directed towards a choice according to the matching law. What does the matching law tell us about understanding the value of a reward?

6. Understand and be able to apply Premack's reinforcement principle and his punishment principle.

7. Understand and be able to apply Timberlake and Allison's "Response Deprvation" principle.

8. Be able to calculate whether a schedule produces contingent response deprivation and the expected size of the reinforcement effect. (Yes, you can use a calculator during the test.)

9. Understand and be able to apply Timberlake's "Equilibrium" approach.

10. It is all about the baseline. Construct a hypothetical baseline of 3 activities for a boy. What does the baseline tell us from the Probability Differential approach? the Response Deprivation approach? the Equilibrium approach?

11. Know the general approach of Thorndike, Hull, Guthrie, Skinner, Meehl, Premack, Timberlake and Allison, and Timberlake to the issue of prediction of whether an event/activity will function as a reinforcer.

12. What is "autoshaping"? What is "negative automaintenance"? Should I have taught you about classical and operant conditioning in different sections of the course? What would be the alternative?