vicarious reinforcement

Examples of vicarious reinforcement in the following topics:

• Bandura and Observational Learning

  • This experiment demonstrated that children can learn merely by observing the behavior of a social model, and that observing reinforcement of the model's behavior could affect whether or not a behavior was emulated.
  • If you saw that the model was reinforced for her behavior, you will be more motivated to copy her; this is known as vicarious reinforcement.
  • On the other hand, if you observed the model being punished, you would be less motivated to copy her; this is called vicarious punishment.
  • Motivation can also come from external reinforcement, such as rewards promised by an experimenter.

• Theories of Attitude Formation and Change

  • Learning theories of attitude change, no longer as popular as they once were, focus on reinforced behavior as the primary factor responsible for attitude development.
  • An observed behavior does not have to be reinforced to be learned (Zimbardo & Leippe, 1991), and the model "can be presented on film, by television, in a novel, or by other vicarious means" (Martin & Briggs, 1986, p. 28).

• Reinforcement Principles

• Reinforcement and Punishment

  • Both reinforcement and punishment can be positive or negative.
  • A primary reinforcer, also called an unconditioned reinforcer, is a stimulus that has innate reinforcing qualities.
  • These kinds of reinforcers are not learned.
  • Some primary reinforcers, such as drugs and alcohol, merely mimic the effects of other reinforcers.
  • A secondary reinforcer, also called a conditioned reinforcer, has no inherent value and only has reinforcing qualities when linked or paired with a primary reinforcer.

• Reinforced Concrete Construction

  • Reinforced concrete is a composite material in which the low tensile strength of concrete is reinforced with a material such as steel.
  • The reinforcement in the case of concrete is usually, though not always, steel reinforcing bars known as rebar, and is usually embedded passively in the concrete before the concrete sets.
  • Modern reinforced concrete can contain varied reinforcing materials made of steel, polymers, or alternate composite material which may or may not be used with rebar.
  • There are many different methods of reinforced concrete construction, depending on the ductility and strength of the reinforcement beams.
  • Cracking can allow moisture to penetrate and corrode the reinforcement.

• Reinforcement as a Management Tool

  • Reinforcement is a process of strengthening desirable behaviors, often through the use of rewards.
  • Reinforcement is a term used in the context of behavioral analysis and in a specific kind of intentional behavior change known as operant conditioning.
  • In reinforcement, the rate of the target behavior is increased by giving a reward (i.e., "positive reinforcement") or by removing an unpleasant stimulus (i.e., "negative reinforcement") immediately or shortly after each occurrence of the behavior.
  • Giving a monkey a banana for performing a trick is an example of positive reinforcement; quieting a constant unpleasantly loud noise when a rat pushes a button is an example of negative reinforcement.
  • This soldier reinforces her dog's desirable behavior by giving it a treat.

• Schedules of Reinforcement

  • Reinforcement schedules determine how and when a behavior will be followed by a reinforcer.
  • Fixed refers to when the number of responses between reinforcements, or the amount of time between reinforcements, is set and unchanging.
  • Interval means the schedule is based on the time between reinforcements, and ratio means the schedule is based on the number of responses between reinforcements.
  • Extinction of a reinforced behavior occurs at some point after reinforcement stops, and the speed at which this happens depends on the reinforcement schedule.
  • The four reinforcement schedules yield different response patterns.

• Reinforcement Theory

  • Positive reinforcement strengthens a behavior by providing a consequence an individual finds rewarding.
  • Reinforcement Theory proposes that social behavior is governed by events outside the human psyche.
  • Reinforcers: responses from the environment that increase the probability of a behavior being repeated.
  • Reinforcers can be either positive or negative.
  • First, on the grounds of circular reasoning, it appears to argue that response strength is increased by reinforcement while defining reinforcement as something which increases response strength.

• Allopatric Speciation

  • Biologists group allopatric processes into two categories: dispersal and vicariance.
  • Dispersal occurs when a few members of a species move to a new geographical area, while vicariance occurs when a natural situation arises to physically divide organisms.

• Positive Reinforcement

  • Positive reinforcement is the addition of an appetitive stimulus to increase a certain behavior or response.
  • Reinforcement is a term under operant conditioning and behavioral analysis.
  • In most situations, positive reinforcement is better than punishment.
  • Positive reinforcement can also be stated as rewarding a person for the good work he or she does.
  • Evaluate the approaches and outcomes attributed to positive reinforcement methods in the workplace