Psychology 7708 and 7610

Part 1

POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT

Behavior analysts work to change an individual’s socially significant behaviors in meaningful ways. As the conceptually systematic dimension states, basic principles of behavior are used to change behaviors. The first basic principle we explore is reinforcement. Reinforcement is used to increase appropriate behaviors in an individual’s repertoire. Behavior analysts not only work to decrease problematic behaviors, but they also work to increase appropriate behaviors. Understanding how reinforcement works is important for adding new behaviors to an individual’s repertoire.

For this assignment, complete the following:

• Define both positive and negative reinforcement. Be sure to explain how they are similar and how they are different in your definitions.
• Provide two real-world, detailed examples of how positive reinforcement could be used to increase behaviors you would like to see occur more often. Also, provide two examples of how negative reinforcement could be used to increase behaviors you would like to see occur more often. For example, an individual may use positive reinforcement to increase the behavior of working out. She could “pay” herself 10 dollars after five consecutive days of working out. Another individual may use negative reinforcement to increase the behavior of cooking healthy meals. If her dinner meals include at least two different vegetables, she can skip doing the dishes immediately after eating.
• Be sure to explain why the examples you chose will work to increase behavior in the future.

Part 2- In Unit 2, you selected one standardized test that has relevancy to your academic and professional goals to be the focus of your course project. Your Unit 2 assignment focused on the first four elements of the Code for selecting a test. For this assignment, you will complete a deeper analysis of the technical quality of your selected test by focusing on the fifth element of the Code, which states that the test user will “evaluate evidence of the technical quality of the test provided by the test developer and any independent reviews.” To complete this assignment, you will draw upon the knowledge you gained in Units 3 and 4 about psychometrics in general and reliability and validity in particular.

For this assignment, use the test you selected for your assignment in Unit 2. Locate and summarize a minimum of four articles related to the technical qualities of the selected test. You are encouraged to use the PSY7610 Library Research Guide, linked in the resources, to assist your search.