ABSTRACT
LEARNING OBJECTIVES After reading this chapter, you should be able to ■ discuss whether performing a response and
receiving a reinforcer are essential in the learning and in the performance of a new behavior
■ describe studies on how reinforcement can be used to control visceral responses, and explain how these techniques have been used in biofeedback
■ list five different theories about how we can predict what will serve as a reinforcer, and
discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the different theories
■ explain how a functional analysis of reinforcers can be used to determine the causes of unusual or puzzling behaviors
■ give examples of how the field of behavioral economics has been applied to animal and human behaviors
The theoretical issues examined in this chapter are very broad, and they deal with matters of importance to the entire field of learning. The topics concern such basic issues as what ingredients, if any, are essential for learning to take place, and under what conditions a supposed reinforcer will strengthen the behavior it follows. Most of the issues we will examine have been pondered by learning theorists for many years. Some are fairly well-resolved, but others are the subject of continuing research.
