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Premack Principle

History. Skinner ? defined reinforcers by their effect on behavior Presents us with problems when applying to the real world Events we might believe should be liked might not actually function as reinforcers Premack principle provides a more objective way to determine whether something can be use

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Premack Principle

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    1. Premack Principle

    2. History Skinner – defined reinforcers by their effect on behavior Presents us with problems when applying to the real world Events we might believe should be liked might not actually function as reinforcers Premack principle provides a more objective way to determine whether something can be used as a reinforcer We learned earlier that Skinner defined reinforcers (and punishment) by their effect on behavior. This unfortunately presents us with a problem. In the real world, it would be nice to known ahead of time whether a certain event can function as a reinforcer. One way to do this would be to take something the person or animal seems to like and use that as a reinforcer. But it is not always easy to determine what a person or animal likes. Also, events that we might believe should be liked might actually not function as reinforcers. For example, for a 5-year old boy, a kiss from his mother is great if he needs comforting, but not when he is trying to show off to his friends. Therefore, the Premack principle provides a more objective way to determine whether something can be used as a reinforcer. We learned earlier that Skinner defined reinforcers (and punishment) by their effect on behavior. This unfortunately presents us with a problem. In the real world, it would be nice to known ahead of time whether a certain event can function as a reinforcer. One way to do this would be to take something the person or animal seems to like and use that as a reinforcer. But it is not always easy to determine what a person or animal likes. Also, events that we might believe should be liked might actually not function as reinforcers. For example, for a 5-year old boy, a kiss from his mother is great if he needs comforting, but not when he is trying to show off to his friends. Therefore, the Premack principle provides a more objective way to determine whether something can be used as a reinforcer.

    3. Premack Principle Reinforcers can often be viewed as behaviors rather than stimuli Example: Rather than saying that lever pressing was reinforced by food (a stimulus), we could say that lever pressing was reinforced by the act of eating food (a behavior) Rather than saying that playing appropriately was reinforced by television, we could instead say that it was reinforced by watching television ThePremack principle is based on the notion that reinforcers can often be viewed as behaviors rather than stimuli. For example, rather than saying that lever pressing was reinforced by food (a stimulus), we could say that lever pressing was reinforced by the act of eating food (a behavior). Similarly in humans, rather than saying playing appropriately was reinforced by television (a stimulus), we could instead say that it was reinforced by watching television. ThePremack principle is based on the notion that reinforcers can often be viewed as behaviors rather than stimuli. For example, rather than saying that lever pressing was reinforced by food (a stimulus), we could say that lever pressing was reinforced by the act of eating food (a behavior). Similarly in humans, rather than saying playing appropriately was reinforced by television (a stimulus), we could instead say that it was reinforced by watching television.

    4. Premack Principle (cont.) When we view reinforcers in this manner then the process of reinforcement can be conceptualized as a sequence of two behaviors: (1.) The behavior that is being reinforced, followed by (2.) the behavior that is the reinforcer By comparing the frequency of various behaviors Determine whether one can be used as a reinforcer for the other When we view reinforcers in this manner—as behaviors rather than stimuli– then the process of reinforcement can be conceptualized as a sequence of two behaviors: 1. the behavior that is being reinforced, followed by 2. the behavior that is the reinforcer. According, to Premack, by comparing the frequency of various behaviors, we can determine whether one can be used as a reinforcer for the other When we view reinforcers in this manner—as behaviors rather than stimuli– then the process of reinforcement can be conceptualized as a sequence of two behaviors: 1. the behavior that is being reinforced, followed by 2. the behavior that is the reinforcer. According, to Premack, by comparing the frequency of various behaviors, we can determine whether one can be used as a reinforcer for the other

    5. Premack Principle (cont.) High-probability behavior (HPB) can be used to reinforce a low-probability behavior (LPB) Example: When a rat is hungry, eating food has a higher likelihood of occurrence then running in a wheel This means that eating food (the high-probability behavior – HPB) can be used to reinforce the target behavior of running in a wheel (the low-probability behavior – LPB) The rat will run the wheel to obtain access to the food The Premack principle, states that high-probability behavior can be used to reinforce a low-probability behavior. For example, when a rat is hungry, eating food has a higher likelihood of occurrence than running in a wheel. This means that eating food (the high-probability behavior [HPB]) can be used to reinforce the target behavior of running in a wheel (the low-probability behavior [LPB]). In other words, the rat will run in the wheel to obtain access to the food. The Premack principle, states that high-probability behavior can be used to reinforce a low-probability behavior. For example, when a rat is hungry, eating food has a higher likelihood of occurrence than running in a wheel. This means that eating food (the high-probability behavior [HPB]) can be used to reinforce the target behavior of running in a wheel (the low-probability behavior [LPB]). In other words, the rat will run in the wheel to obtain access to the food.

    6. Premack Principle (cont.) What happens when the rat is not hungry? Then eating food is less likely to occur than running in a wheel Now, running in a wheel can be used as a reinforcer for the target behavior of eating food The rat will eat to obtain access to the wheel On the other hand, if the rat is not hungry, then eating food is less likely to occur than running in a wheel. In this case, running in a wheel can be used as a reinforcer for the target behavior of eating food. In other words, the rat will eat to obtain access to the wheel. On the other hand, if the rat is not hungry, then eating food is less likely to occur than running in a wheel. In this case, running in a wheel can be used as a reinforcer for the target behavior of eating food. In other words, the rat will eat to obtain access to the wheel.

    7. Premack Principle (cont.) By focusing on the relative properties of behaviors, the Premack principle allows us to quickly identify potential reinforcers in the real world Example: If a child spends only a few minutes each morning doing chores, but at least an hour comic books, then the opportunity to read comic books (HPB) can be used to reinforce doing chores (LPB) By focusing on the relative properties of behaviors, the Premack principle allows us to quickly identify potential reinforcers in the real world. For example, if a child spends only a few each morning doing chores, but at least an hour reading comic books, then the opportunity to read comic books (a higher-probability behavior) can be used to reinforce doing chores (a lower- probability behavior). By focusing on the relative properties of behaviors, the Premack principle allows us to quickly identify potential reinforcers in the real world. For example, if a child spends only a few each morning doing chores, but at least an hour reading comic books, then the opportunity to read comic books (a higher-probability behavior) can be used to reinforce doing chores (a lower- probability behavior).

    8. Premack Principle (cont.) Proven to be very useful in applied settings A person with autism who spends many hours each day rocking back and fourth might be very unresponsive to the consequences that are normally reinforcing for others The opportunity to rock back and forth can be used as an effective reinforcer for another behavior that we might wish to strengthen, such as interacting with others ThePremack principle has been proven to be very useful in applied settings. For example, a person with autism who spends many hours each day rocking back and forth might be very unresponsive to consequences that are normally reinforcing for others, such as receiving praise. The Premack principle, however, suggests that the opportunity to rock back and forth can be used as an effective reinforcer for another behavior that we might wish to strengthen, such as interacting with others. ThePremack principle has been proven to be very useful in applied settings. For example, a person with autism who spends many hours each day rocking back and forth might be very unresponsive to consequences that are normally reinforcing for others, such as receiving praise. The Premack principle, however, suggests that the opportunity to rock back and forth can be used as an effective reinforcer for another behavior that we might wish to strengthen, such as interacting with others.

    9. Premack Principle (cont.) Overall, a handy principle to keep in mind when confronted by a situation in which normal reinforcers seem to have little effect Overall, the Premack principle is a handy principle to keep in mind when confronted by a situation in which normal reinforcers seem to have little effect. Overall, the Premack principle is a handy principle to keep in mind when confronted by a situation in which normal reinforcers seem to have little effect.

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