Operant Conditioning

Categories of Positive Reinforcers Tangible Social Activity Token Reinforcers

Tangible Reinforcers You can touch them CDs Guitars

Social Reinforcers Types Applause Laughter Nods Smiles

Activity Reinforcers Premack Principle High Probability Behavior Low Probability Behavior

Token Reinforcers are secondary reinforcers tokens are exchanged for other reinforcers Examples money frequent flyer miles ESSO gas points

Reinforcement Different Stokes for Different Folks How do we know when something will be reinforcing? (a) watch them (b) by asking them (c) complete a Reinforcement Survey Schedule

Reinforcer Sampling a procedure were clients are given a generalized reinforcer without having to behavior to earn it after they are hooked on the reinforcer, then they will be required to behave to obtain the reinforcer

Administering Reinforcers can be done in three ways 1) by other people 2) by the person 3) as a natural consequence

Making Positive Reinforcement Effective 1) deprivation making a reinforcer scarce can make it more valuable satiation can be viewed as the opposite deprivation

Making Positive Reinforcement Effective 2) Instructions instructing someone (whose behavior is to be reinforced) what is involved in obtaining reinforcement

Making Positive Reinforcement Effective 3) Amount of Reinforcer the greater the amount of reinforcement, the more effective it will be

Making Positive Reinforcement Effective 4) Reinforcer Variety the more varied and diverse the reinforcers, the more effective it will be

Making Positive Reinforcement Effective 5) Reinforcer Contrast Effects involves the history of reinforcement an individual has experienced negative and positive contrast Crespi effects

Making Positive Reinforcement Effective 6) Reinforcement Delay immediate reinforcers are more effective than delayed reinforcers

Guidelines for the effective application of Positive Reinforcement 1. Select the behavior to be increased be specific 2. Select a reinforcer 3. Apply Positive Reinforcement use lots of praise and physical contact, but vary the types of reinforcers 4. Wean the individual from the Program switch to an intermittent schedule of reinforcement change from tangible to social reinforcers

Autism approx. 1 in 2500 births organically based disorder not due to inadequate parenting coined by Kanner in 1943

Autism 1) Deficits in Social Behaviour little attachment, eye contact prefer to be alone, do not interact with peers 2) Language deficits 50 % do not develop functional speech echolalia (repeats speaker instead of answering speaker) 3) Ritualistic Behaviour same environment, line up objects, unusual fixations carry certain items with them

Autism 4) Sensory Deficits 5) Self injurious behaviour inflicts physical damage to self head banging, self biting of hands and wrists 6) Self Stimulation body rocking, spinning in circles, darting movements rocking foot to foot, doesn’t play with toys in a normal way 7) Inappropriate Affect flattened, excessive or inappropriate expression

Autism – Associated Features 50% IQs LT 70 Savants have exceptional ability in one area

“ Autistic Savant ” have extraordinary skills not exhibited by most persons. “ idiot savants ” (French for unlearned skill)

Epidemiology 10% prevalence in autism 1% prevalence in non-autistic individuals

Areas of Ability Numbers Dates Art Music

Modifying Autism with Positive Reinforcement Lovaas Film

Autism Questions 1) How were Lisa ’ s tantrums modified? 2) What happened to Pam and Ricky? 3) What were the strengths of the behavioral approach to treating autism? 4) What were the weaknesses of the behavioral approach to treating autism?

Video Highlights 1) How were Lisa’s tantrums modified? Tantrums ignored Extinction bursts Positive reinforcers? Kissing, food, and verbal praise.

Video Highlights 2) What happened to Pam and Ricky? initially taught parts of speech, then were transferred to a state hospital in which the staff were untrained to continue teaching Pam and Ricky lost most of their communication skills. Pam remained at state hospital, only able to attend to simple household tasks. Ricky lived in a small teaching home, lost most of his language skills (and spontaneity), but developed some recreational skills (rug hooking) Design: ABA Design: treatment promoted positive behaviour, but in the absence of training, these behaviours were lost

Video Highlights 3) Strengths of Intervention Increase in language skills Decrease in self injurious behaviour More treatment yield more improvement

Video Highlights 4) Weaknesses of Intervention 1. Limited gains 2. Tended to regress when treatment was removed