Positive Reinforcement Methods Flashcards
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Read the first 7 Positive Reinforcement Methods flashcards as text
What is 'differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior' (DRI)?
Answer: Reinforcing a behavior that physically cannot occur at the same time as the unwanted behavior
DRI reinforces a behavior that is physically incompatible with the problem behavior, so both behaviors cannot occur simultaneously.
Which of the following best describes 'over-shadowing' in dog training?
Answer: A more salient stimulus prevents the dog from attending to a less salient stimulus
Over-shadowing occurs when a more noticeable stimulus (e.g., a hand signal) prevents the dog from learning a less noticeable stimulus (e.g., a verbal cue).
A dog that no longer responds to a previously reliable cue is said to have experienced:
Answer: Stimulus control breakdown
Stimulus control breakdown means the cue no longer reliably predicts the behavior, often due to inconsistent reinforcement or cue poisoning.
What does 'latent inhibition' mean in the context of dog training?
Answer: A previously irrelevant stimulus is harder to condition because the dog learned to ignore it
Latent inhibition describes the difficulty of conditioning a stimulus the animal has previously experienced as irrelevant or meaningless.
In positive reinforcement training, what is 'errorless learning'?
Answer: Training sessions in which the dog makes no mistakes because criteria are set so the dog is always successful
Errorless learning sets the training environment and criteria so the dog is nearly always successful, minimizing frustration and building confidence.
When using a food lure to teach 'down,' the trainer should primarily move the lure:
Answer: Downward and inward toward the dog's chest
Moving the lure down and slightly in toward the chest encourages the dog to fold its elbows to the ground into a down position.
What is the purpose of a 'no-reward marker' (NRM) in positive reinforcement training?
Answer: To tell the dog the response was incorrect and another attempt should be made
A no-reward marker (NRM) is a neutral signal that informs the dog it did not earn reinforcement, prompting it to try again without adding fear or punishment.