Transcript Escape and Avoidance Conditioning

Establishing Behavior by
Escape and Avoidance
Conditioning
Chapter 13
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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
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The associated text is “See Table 13-1 for other examples of escape
conditioning.” (page 161)
Examples of Escape Conditioning
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Avoidance Conditioning
Behavior will increase in frequency if it
prevents an aversive stimulus from
occurring.
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Avoidance Conditioning
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Discriminated Avoidance
Conditioning
• Involves a warning signal of a forthcoming
aversive stimulus
– Synonyms: conditioned aversive stimulus,
conditioned punisher
• A conditioned aversive stimulus is also a
conditioned punisher; that is, it will
suppress the occurrence of any response
that it follows
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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
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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
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