April 2011
6 posts
2 tags
Let's Not Reinforce That
Random guy: These are my schizophrenia pajamas (as he wears mixed-up plaid pajamas).
Breakfast TV Reporter: Because you're so crazy!
Crowd: [laughs]
When we continue to laugh at or mock mental illness we reinforce the idea the people with schizophrenia are to be ridiculed. That their existence is somehow inferior to us. When you're in the media, I'd like to think that you can gracefully redirect such a comment and not reinforce the stereotype.
2 tags
Oh, The Weather Outside is Motivating
In Canada it is not uncommon to have a snowfall sometime in April (and yet we still react with shock and disbelief). This past weekend typified that rain-and-snow-combo-in-April experience and as a result, I spent much of the weekend indoors. According to my twitter and facebook feed, so did many of my friends and colleagues. This avoidance of activities/tasks based on the weather conditions...
1 tag
The Punishment of Soccer Fans →
My boyfriend is a huge soccer fan and by association, I have become a fan too. We were recently discussing the behaviour of fans and how the soccer leagues tend to take a group approach to punishment. The story linked above is one example. I’m not convinced that punishing the group is going to reduce the bad behaviour in question (which means it’s not really punishment after all). Behaviourist...
1 tag
I've been waiting for key lime pie all week
Antecedent: Deprived of key lime pie all week, walk past the pie store and see key lime pie
Behaviour: Ask the employee for key lime pie
Consequence: Get key lime pie (positive reinforcement)
The context in this situation is that I have not had key lime pie from the pie place downstairs in a week. Even though I walk past the pie store everyday, my motivation for key lime pie needed to be high in order for me to go in this time. Motivation (a.k.a. motivating operations) comes into play as an antecedent to our behaviour.
1 tag
“I’m going to give myself an environmental prompt.”
– Eric N. (as he places our rent cheque by his keys) 