Establishing a Desirable Behavior by Using Escape and Avoidance Conditioning

1. Establishing a Desirable Behavior by Using Escape and Avoidance Conditioning Chapter 13

2. Escape Conditioning • Removal of aversive stimuli after response, increases likelihood of response • Negative Reinforcement • Aversive stimulus must be present for desired response to occur • Preparatory training for Avoidance Conditioning

3. Escape Conditioning

4. Avoidance Conditioning • Behavior will increase in frequency if it prevents an aversive stimulus from occurring • Prevents an aversive stimulus from occurring

5. Avoidance Conditioning

6. Discriminated Avoidance Conditioning • Includes a warning signal of forthcoming aversive stimulus • Conditioned aversive stimulus – warning stimulus • The aversive stimulus becomes the conditioned punisher after warning

7. Pitfall of Escape and Avoidance Conditioning • Undesirable behavior may be strengthened • Inadvertent establishment of conditioned aversive stimuli • Individual responds by avoiding or escaping them • Maintains undesirable behaviors of the teacher or other caregivers

8. Guidelines for the Effective Application • Avoidance procedure preferable over escape procedure • Target behavior should be established by escape conditioning before it is put on an avoidance procedure • Use warning signal to signal impending aversive stimulus during avoidance conditioning • Use escape and avoidance conditioning cautiously • Use positive reinforcement in conjunction with escape and avoidance conditioning • Individuals should be told about the contingencies