A phenomenon where changing reinforcement rates for one behavior affects another behavior in the opposite direction is called what?

A phenomenon where changing reinforcement rates for one behavior affects another behavior in the opposite direction is called what?

• A. Rule-Governed Behavior
• B. Behavior Contrast
• C. Motivating Operation (MO)
• D. Contingency-Shaped Behavior

Answer: (B)

Behavioral contrast happens when changing the reinforcement rate for one behavior leads to an opposite change in another behavior. When two responses are available and compete for the same reinforcer, increasing the reinforcement for one behavior draws more responses toward it and fewer toward the other. If reinforcement for the first behavior is decreased or removed, the organism shifts responding toward the alternative behavior, showing the opposite effect. For example, if a pigeon has two keys with different reinforcement rates and the rate on one key increases, the pigeon tend to peck that key more and the other key less. If the reinforcement on that first key drops, pecking shifts toward the other key. This differs from rule-governed behavior (behavior controlled by verbal rules rather than direct contingencies), motivating operations (events that alter the value of reinforcement for many behaviors), and contingency-shaped behavior (learning driven directly by consequences without relying on rules).

Behavioral contrast happens when changing the reinforcement rate for one behavior leads to an opposite change in another behavior. When two responses are available and compete for the same reinforcer, increasing the reinforcement for one behavior draws more responses toward it and fewer toward the other. If reinforcement for the first behavior is decreased or removed, the organism shifts responding toward the alternative behavior, showing the opposite effect.

For example, if a pigeon has two keys with different reinforcement rates and the rate on one key increases, the pigeon tend to peck that key more and the other key less. If the reinforcement on that first key drops, pecking shifts toward the other key.

This differs from rule-governed behavior (behavior controlled by verbal rules rather than direct contingencies), motivating operations (events that alter the value of reinforcement for many behaviors), and contingency-shaped behavior (learning driven directly by consequences without relying on rules).