Unit 7 ASRs Answer Key Part 1

Unit 7 ASRs 7.1 Task B.16. Identify examples of motivating operations. 1. Antecedents have an effect on behavior due to their relation with a _______ Answer: Consequence Explanation: Antecedents acquire their control over a particular behavior as a result of a history of differential availability of a consequence in their presence vs. their absence. 2. Discriminative stimuli get their evocative and abative effects by: a. Signaling whether a consequence is available or unavailable b. Altering the value of a consequence Answer: a Explanation: While discriminative stimuli alter behavior due to a history of the differential availability of a consequence in their presence vs. their absence, motivating operations alter the value of consequences. 3. List the two types of motivating operations: Answer: Establishing operation and abolishing operation Explanation: Motivating operations are antecedents that alter the value of consequences. They can alter the value of consequences in two directions. They can increase the value of consequences or they can decrease the value of consequences. Therefore, we describe them based on how they alter the value of consequences. If they increase the value of consequences, we call them establishing operations (EOs). If they decrease the value of consequences, we call them abolishing operations (AOs). 4. List the two effects of motivating operations: Answer: Value-altering and behavior-altering effects Explanation: Motivating operations are antecedents that have two effects: (1) They make a consequence either more or less valuable(a value-altering effect) and (2) They make a particular behavior more or less likely (a behavior-altering effect). 5. What effect does a motivating operation have on behavior? a. Alters the value b. Elicits a response c. Evokes or abates d. Strengthens or weakens Answer: c Explanation: Motivating operations are antecedents that alter a dimension of behavior and the value of consequences. Since the question is about the effect on behavior, rather than on a consequence, you can discard altering value. Elicit, evoke/abate, and strengthen/weaken all describe effects on behavior. Only respondent antecedents elicit responses. Since motivating operations are not involved in respondent relations, you can discard “elicits.” The effect of consequences is said to “strengthen” or “weaken” a particular type of behavior. Since motivating operations are not consequences, you can discard “strengthens or weakens.” This leaves us with “evokes or abates” that accurately describes the effect of an antecedent, such as a motivating operation, in momentarily altering the probability of a particular behavior. 6. The value-altering effect of a motivating operation alters the effectiveness of a ______________. Answer: Consequence Explanation: Motivating operations make consequences either more or less valuable. Therefore, the term “value-altering” is used to describe this effect. 7. Having just consumed plenty of food is considered food: a. Deprivation b. Satiation Answer: b Explanation: Deprivation: The state of an organism during or following a period of time in which a reinforcer has not been contacted or consumed. Satiation: The state of an organism during or following continued contact with, or consumption of, a reinforcer. Therefore, if an organism has consumed plenty of food, you could describe this as a state of “satiation” rather than “deprivation.” 8. Food satiation _____ the effectiveness (value) of food as a reinforcer. a. Increases b. Decreases Answer: b Explanation: When an organism has been consuming food for a while, the value of food will diminish. Therefore, food satiation would decrease the effectiveness of access to food as a form of reinforcement. 9. Since food satiation decreases the effectiveness (value) of food as a reinforcer, one is _____ likely to engage in behavior that has resulted in food in the past. a. Less b. More Answer: a Explanation: If a consequence is less effective as a form of reinforcement, the type of behavior that has produced that consequence in the past is less likely to occur. In everyday language, if an organism is not motivated for a consequence, it is less likely to engage in behavior to get it. 10. “Behavior that has resulted in food in the past” can be considered a ________ class. Answer: Response class Explanation: A group of responses that are maintained by a common type of consequence form a response class. This term is used because they share a functional relation to a consequence. 11. List some behaviors that could be part of the response class of “behavior that has resulted in food in the past”: Answer: Opening the refrigerator, walking into your pantry, placing an order in a drive-thru, asking your mom to make you food, calling a restaurant to order takeout, etc. Explanation: A response class is a group of responses that share a particular consequence. Since the consequence in this case is access to food, the response class would be any responses that have been followed by access to food in the past. So, think about responses you emit to get access to food. For example, you could: push the buttons on a vending machine, ask a significant other for food, grab a snack at a store, etc. 7.2 1. An antecedent that “signals” whether a consequence is available or unavailable means: a. There is a past history of the consequence following the response in the presence of that antecedent or not b. That antecedent increases or decreases the effectiveness (value) of the consequence Answer: a Explanation: When we say a consequence is “available or unavailable,” we mean it is more likely or less likely, following a particular behavior— not that it is more or less valuable. Therefore, a history of differential reinforcement is needed when making such a statement. 2. All discriminative stimuli (SDs) are referred to as either unconditioned or conditioned stimuli. a. True b. False Answer: b Explanation: The terms “conditioned stimulus” and “unconditioned stimulus” are only used when describing antecedents involved in reflexes—these are respondent terms. Discriminative stimuli are involved in operant relations and not in reflexes. Therefore, the terms “conditioned or conditioned stimuli” are not used to describe discriminative stimuli. Discriminative stimuli are conditioned as SDs, SΔs, or SDPs; but they are not conditioned as “conditioned stimuli.” 3. The terms “conditioned stimulus” and “unconditioned stimulus” are only used when describing antecedents involved in reflexes—these are respondent terms. Discriminative stimuli are involved in operant relations and not in reflexes. Therefore, the terms “conditioned or conditioned stimuli” are not used to describe discriminative stimuli. Discriminative stimuli are conditioned as SDs, SΔs, or SDPs; but they are not conditioned as “conditioned stimuli.” a. Not having anything to drink for many hours b. Just finished drinking a large bottle of water c. The sight of a bottle filled with water d. The sight of an empty water bottle Answer: c Explanation: When we say a consequence is “available or unavailable,” we mean it is more likely or less likely, following a particular behavior— not that it is more or less valuable. Therefore, look for a situation in which obtaining water is more or less likely. Not having anything to drink for many hours would not increase or decrease one’s chances of obtaining water. Just finished drinking a large bottle of water would not increase or decrease one’s chances of obtaining water. The sight of an empty water bottle would decrease one’s chances of obtaining water (signaling it is unavailable). The sight of a bottle filled with water would increase one’s chances of obtaining water (signaling it is available). 7.3 1. A motivating operation can alter the effectiveness of: a. A reinforcer b. A punisher c. Behavior d. A discriminative stimulus Answer: a, b Explanation: Motivating operations alter the value of consequences and alter the momentary probability of behavior. When we talk about “effectiveness,” we are referring to the value of a consequence. If a consequence is more valuable, it is more likely to be effective. If a consequence is less valuable, it is less likely to be effective. Both a reinforcer and a punisher are consequences. Therefore, a motivating operation can alter the effectiveness of either a reinforcer or a punisher. But a motivating operation would not make a behavior more effective, nor would a discriminative stimulus. 2. Sashimi is likely to be most valuable to Jose when he: a. Is at a sushi restaurant b. Has not eaten for 24 hours c. Just ate a big meal d. Went for a walk alone in his neighborhood Answer: b Explanation: Not having eaten in 24 hours (food deprivation) would increase the value of food. Most organisms would be “motivated” for food under long periods of food deprivation. 3. In which situation would sashimi have been more likely available in the past for asking for it? a. When Jose has not eaten for 24 hours b. After Jose just ate a big meal c. When Jose is at a sushi restaurant d. When Jose is on a walk alone in his neighborhood Answer: c Explanation: Getting food would be less valuable after eating a large meal. Most organisms would be less “motivated” for food after periods of food satiation. But being food deprived would not decrease the chances to getting food. 4. Sashimi is likely to be least valuable to Jose when he: a. Is at a sushi restaurant b. Has not eaten for 24 hours c. Just ate a big meal d. Went for a walk alone in his neighborhood Answer: c Explanation: Getting food would be less valuable after eating a big meal. Most organisms would be less ”motivated” for food after periods of food satiation. 5. In which situation would sashimi have been least likely available in the past for asking for it? a. When Jose has not eaten for 24 hours b. After Jose just ate a big meal c. When Jose is at a sushi restaurant d. When Jose is on a walk alone in his neighborhood Answer: d Explanation: Going for a walk doesn’t make food available. Asking for sashimi while alone is least likely to result in getting this type of food. 7.4 1. Under what conditions is behavior least likely to occur? a. SD and EOSR+ b. SΔ and EOSR+ c. SD and AOSR+ d. SΔ and AOSR+ Answer: d Explanation: Behavior is least likely to occur in situations in which a consequence: (a)is less likely to function as a type of reinforcer (AO sR+) (b)is less likely to follow that type of behavior (S △) For example, one is least likely to order a drink when one has been satiated of liquids (AOsR+) and there is no waiter taking a drinks order (S △). 2. Under what conditions is behavior most likely to occur? a. SD and EOSR+ b. SΔ and EOSR+ c. SD and AOSR+ d. SΔ and AOSR+ Answer: a Explanation: Behavior is most likely to occur in situations in which a consequence: (a)is more likely to function as a type of reinforcer (EOsR+) (b)is more likely to follow that type of behavior (SD) For example, one is most likely to order a drink when one has been deprived of liquids (EOSR+) and there is a waiter taking a drinks order (SD). 3. Under what conditions is Jose’s behavior of asking for sashimi most likely to occur? a. When Jose is at a sushi restaurant and just ate a big meal b. When Jose is at a sushi restaurant and has not eaten for 24 hours c. When Jose is on a walk alone in his neighborhood and just ate a big meal d. When Jose is on a walk alone in his neighborhood and has not eaten for 24 hours Answer: b Explanation: Jose’s behavior of asking for sashimi is most likely when both food is valuable and available. If Jose is at a restaurant, sashimi is available. Also, if Jose has not eaten for 24 hours, sashimi is valuable. Therefore, he is very likely to ask for sashimi. 4. Under what conditions is Jose’s behavior of asking for sashimi least likely to occur? a. When Jose is at a sushi restaurant and just ate a big meal b. When Jose is at a sushi restaurant and has not eaten for 24 hours c. When Jose is on a walk alone in his neighborhood and just ate a big meal d. When Jose is on a walk alone in his neighborhood and has not eaten for 24 hours Answer: c Explanation: Jose’s behavior of asking for sashimi is least likely when both food is not valuable and is unavailable. If Jose is walking alone in his neighborhood, sashimi is not available. Also, if Jose just ate a big meal, sashimi is not valuable. Therefore, he is least likely to ask for sashimi. 5. Leroi has been traveling on a long work trip and has not been able to see his daughter in over two weeks. Leroi schedules the earliest flight of the day to get home to his daughter as soon as possible. This is an example of an: a. AO b. EO c. SD d. S∆ Answer: a Explanation: An establishing operation (EO) increases the momentary effectiveness of a specific consequence. Since Leroi has not seen his daughter in a long time, the value of seeing her as a reinforcer has increased, evoking his behavior of immediately booking the earliest flight of the day. On the other hand, an abolishing operation (AO) decreases the momentary effectiveness of a consequence, which would have abated Leroi’s behavior of not booking the earliest flight home. An SD or S𝝙 would only apply here if there was a signal within the scenario about whether the flight home was available (e.g., the earliest flight home appearing on the flight selection list on the booking page vs. the earliest flight home not appearing on the list). 6. Carley has been in search of a new computer. Her husband surprised her by purchasing her one without telling her. Later in the day, Carley's friend offers to accompany her to the electronics store to browse, but Carley declines. This is an example of an: a. AO b. EO c. SD d. S∆ Answer: a Explanation: An abolishing operation, or AO, decreases the momentary effectiveness of a specific consequence. In this case, when Carley receives a new computer from her husband, this serves as an abolishing operation for the consequence of going to the store with her friend to look at computers. An EO would have increased the effectiveness of going to the store to look for a new computer if Carley still did not have a computer. An S𝝙 signals the unavailability of a consequence; for example, if Carley went to the store to buy the computer and the store was closed. An SDP signals the availability of punishment, such as if Carley’s husband told her that they did not have enough money in the bank and purchasing a computer would result in an overdraft fee. 7.5 1. The effect of the MO on behavior is called the ________; The effect of the MO on the consequence is called the ________. Answer: behavior-altering effect; value-altering effect Explanation: When an antecedent alters behavior, we use the term “behavior-altering.” Since the MO is a type of antecedent, when an MO affects behavior, we use the term “behavior-altering.” When an antecedent alters the value of a consequence, we use the term “valuealtering.” Only MOs have this effect. 2. An establishing effect of an MO _______ the effectiveness (value) of the consequence; An abolishing effect of an MO _______ the effectiveness (value) of the consequence. Answer: increases; decreases Explanation: “Establishing” describes the effect of an MO in increasing the value of a consequence. “Abolishing” describes the effect of an MO in decreasing the value of a consequence. 3. Deprivation from popcorn increases the effectiveness of popcorn as a reinforcer and evokes asking for popcorn. What is the value-altering effect? a. Deprivation from popcorn b. Asking for popcorn is evoked c. Receiving popcorn d. Popcorn increased in effectiveness as a reinforcer Answer: d Explanation: “Value-altering” is the effect of an antecedent on a consequence. In this case, the antecedent is deprivation from popcorn. The consequence is receiving popcorn. Therefore, “value-altering” is the effect of popcorn deprivation on receiving popcorn. Popcorn increased in effectiveness as a reinforcer. This is the effect of popcorn deprivation on the effectiveness of receiving popcorn as a form of reinforcement, which describes a value-altering effect. 4. A cold temperature decreases the effectiveness of a cold glass of water as a reinforcer and abates drinking a cold glass of water. What is the valuealtering effect? a. A cold glass of water decreased in effectiveness as a reinforcer b. A cold glass of water c. A cold temperature d. Drinking a cold glass of water is abated Answer: a Explanation: “Value-altering” is the effect of an antecedent on a consequence. In this case, the antecedent is the cold temperature. The consequence is consuming the cold water. Therefore, “value-altering” is the effect of the cold temperature on consuming the cold water. A cold glass of water decreased in effectives as a reinforcer. This describes a change in the value of a cold glass of water as a consequence. Therefore, this is a value-altering effect. 5. Holding your breath underwater increases the effectiveness of breathable air as a reinforcer and evokes coming up out of water for air. What is the value-altering effect? a. Coming up out of water is evoked b. Breathable air increased in effectiveness as a reinforcer c. Getting a breath of air d. Deprivation from breathable air Answer: b Explanation: “Value-altering” is the effect of an antecedent on a consequence. In this case, the antecedent is the lack of oxygen. The consequence is getting breathable air. Therefore, “value-altering” is the effect of the lack of oxygen on getting some breathable air. Breathable air increased in effectiveness as a reinforcer. This is an effect on the effectiveness of a consequence. Therefore, it describes a value-altering effect.