Many modern theorists (Premack, Timberlake) argue that
"strengthen" is a concept that is tied to older theories such as
Thorndike's S-R bonds or Hull's habit strength.
The distinction can be subtle. When one reinforces reading, does
it make more sense to say reading is "stronger" or that you have
"increased" the probability that the person is engaged in reading?
I agree with you. "Increased" focuses mainly on probability of
the response occuring. "Stronger" suggests that you are turning
the pages faster or with greater force. Generally, we want to
increase the probability that someone is engaged in reading
(whatever the pace) rather than make them turn pages with shorter
latency or greater force.
Ken
---------------------------------------------------------------
Kenneth M. Steele, Ph.D. [email protected]
Professor
Department of Psychology http://www.psych.appstate.edu
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC 28608
USA
---------------------------------------------------------------
michael sylvester wrote:
Which is the behavioral-scientifically correct way to operationally
define a reinforcer?
As a stimulus which increases the probability of a response or as a
stimulus which strengthens the probability of a response?I know that
they are often used interchangeably, but it seems to me that strengthens
imply latency,intensity,frequency,and duration factors
whereas increases could be construed to imgly principally frequency.
Students seem to hang on the idea that reinforcers are rewards and
despite different categories of reinforcers the idea of rewards to them
is some form of pleasure.
However even pain can turn into pleasure,for example in sado-masochistic
sexual
encounters and in dominatrix swap derivatives as experienced by the
Republican party at
a gathering. And while on this subject,is there data to support the idea
that some sado-maso behavior
may have their origin in childhood?The theory states that while the
child was being spanked
the child had an erection and this led to some kind of classical
conditioning association of pain with pleasure and hence the desire to
pain with anticipatory sex.
Michael "omnicentric" Sylvester,PhD
Daytona Beach,Florida
Daytona Beach,Florida
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