Personality Chapter 9&10

How does skinner define personality

leads to a conditioned response

this results in an unconditioned response

after learning. Result after a conditioned stimulus is used

(Before learning) Results from unconditioned stimulus

learning the behavior–response relations

way to create new behavior.

behavior weakens when reinforcement is removed

burst of activity following a delay after extinction

Will extinguish faster if no reinforcement

signals which situation is present

food, water, oxygen, elimination, sleep, sex

biologically neutral at first

•Become associated with primary reinforcers

•Most human behavior controlled by secondary reinforcers

•Kind words, glances, money, medals, awards, recognition, gifts, attention

•Generalize reinforce – linked to several primary reinforcers (money)

link together many secondary reinforcers which lead to a primary reinforcer

•Primary reinforcer holds the chain together

•Explains most complex behavior

First response after a time interval

make a set number of responses to be reinforced

varies time interval for reinforcement

varies number of responses between reinforcement

Hw does skinner explain superstitious behavior

increase rate of response when presented. Related to survival (food, water, etc)

behavior increases to remove something it does not want. potentially harmful (shock, noise, bright light)

behavior increases to remove something it does not want. Learn relationship to primary (warning lights)

increase rate of response when presented. Learn relationship to primary (money)

engage in behavior to keep aversive events from occurring. •Open an umbrella, etc

remove a positive reinforcer or present a negative reinforcer

•Not as effective as positive reinforcement in controlling behavior

•Punished behaviors often reappear after a while

According to skinner what is our biggest problem?

make the future more immediate

•Encourage desirable behavior, discourage undesirable behavior

At end of contract behavior will be changed

Changing reinforcement contingencies that currently reinforce undesired behavior

Get tokens when act appropriately, can be exchanged for another item

•Token is a secondary reinforcer

•Common in institutions (money is national token system)

•Treats symptoms, does not treat underlying causes

What was skinner’s book “Walden two” about

Why do some people find the ideas in the book Walden two frightening

What was his book “Beyond Freedom and Dignity” about

Do you think the premise of the book “Beyond Freedom and Dignity is reasonable”

strong stimulus that makes us act, its elimination or reduction is reinforcing

•Internal – thirst, hunger

•External – noise, extreme temperature

•Primary – related to survival

•Thirst, hunger, pain, sex, elimination

•Secondary – related to culture

•Fear, success, attractiveness

Motivational part of personality

stimulus that indicates the appropriate direction of activity.

•Where, when and which response

behaviors to reduce/eliminate drives

•Overt – directly reduce drive

•Internal – thinking, planning, reasoning that will eventually work

•Learning – rearranging response probabilities as conditions change

association between a stimulus (S) and response (R)

What is a habit family hierarchy?

response that is most successful at reducing the drive

required for learning to occur

•Dominant response does not work

•Must use trial and error or another method to solve the problem

newborns based on genetics

•Hungry – restless, cry, kick, scream

With experience they can change positions

revised arrangement after learning

•2 positive goals that are equally attractive

•Usually attain both, one after the other

•Attracted and repelled by the same goal

•Gradient of Approach – drives you toward goal

•Gradient of Avoidance – drives you away from goal

•Vacillate where two gradients cross

•Must choose between two negative goals

•Vacillation and indecision

Escape (physically or psychological)

•2 goals, each with plusses and minuses

•Is the most common type people experience

What is the basic idea of the frustration-aggression hypothesis

What are the three things the determine the amount of aggression that occurs after frustration

Dollard and Miller thought there were four critical training situations during childhood. For reach stage listed below indicate the critical event that occurs during that stage

Feeding Situation

Cleanliness Training

Early Sex Training

Anger-Anxiety Conflicts