An instrumental contingency results in increased performance of a target instrumental response.According to the bliss point approach,this increase is due to
A) behavioral regulatory mechanisms that function to minimize deviations from the optimal distribution of responses.
B) an animal's attempts to earn as many reinforcers as possible, given the time constraints.
C) changes in the physiological drive state of the organism during response deprivation.
D) activation of dedicated brain pathways sensitive to response contingencies.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The bliss point approach proposes that animals have a set point for the distribution of their behavior, and that they will adjust their behavior to maintain that set point by increasing or decreasing their response rate to achieve optimal reinforcement. This suggests that the increase in performance of a target instrumental response due to an instrumental contingency is due to regulatory mechanisms that function to minimize deviations from the optimal distribution of responses.

An Instrumental Contingency Results in Increased Performance of a Target