Aversive Control

Escape and Avoidance (Chapter 10)

   Compare escape procedures with avoidance procedures.  The acquisition of escape learning can be easily explained in terms of negative reinforcement.  However, explaining the acquisition and maintenance of avoidance behavior is more problematical.  Know the theories of avoidance learning.

1. Two factor Theory (Mowrer) - what are the two factors? What are the predictions of the theory? What are the problems of the theory

2. Cognitive Theory (Seligman)- know the learned-helplessness experiment.  What expectations do the animals develop?

3. Species-Specific Defense Reactions Theory (Bolles)

All four theories can be used to explain the full range of escape and avoidance learning that occurs in avoidance procedure. You should be able to match the  theories with the following stages of avoidance learning:

1. escape responses on the first few presentations of the aversive stimulus

2. initial learning of avoidance during early trials

3. long term maintenance of avoidance behavior during the later trials.

Punishment (Chapter 9)

Punishment is studied using  positive punishment and negative punishment procedures.

Although some have argued that punishment is not effective in changing behavior research suggests that punishment contingencies can be very effective as long as the factors that influence the effectiveness of punishment are considered.

Know the various factors that influence the effectiveness of positive punishment procedures and understand how these factors affect punishment effectiveness

1. response-reinforcer contingency

2. response-reinforce contiguity (effect of delay)

3. Intensity of the aversive stimulus

4. Manner of introducing the aversive stimulus (gradual vs. sudden)

5. Discriminative control of punished behavior

6. Availability of alternative behavior that is positively reinforced

An example of negative punishment is time-out  (see p. 146)