B-5 Schedules of Reinforcement

Question 1

Continuous Schedules of Reinforcement

Answer 1

A reinforcer is delivered after each instance of target or desired behavior

Ex: Gets praise for each question answered correctly

Question 2

Intermittent Schedules of Reinforcement

Answer 2

Contingency in which a reinforcer is not delivered every time a target response is given; it is given every so often.

4 types of intermittent schedules:

1. Fixed Ratio (FR)
2. Variable Ratio (VR)
3. Fixed Interval (FI)
4. Variable Interval (VI)

Question 3

Fixed Ratio

Answer 3

Schedule of reinforcement requiring a fixed number of correct responses for reinforcement

Ex: FR4- reinforcement follows every 4 correct response

Question 4

Variable Ratio

Answer 4

Reinforcer is given after a non-specific but average number of correct responses

Ex: VR7- About every 7 times the dog sits when told, he gets a treat

Question 5

Fixed Interval

Answer 5

Reinforcer is given after a correct response immediately after a specified period of time

Ex: Every 10min child practices piano, he is given a token to add 15min to bedtime (FI-10min)

Question 6

Variable Interval

Answer 6

Reinforcer is given after a correct response immediately after a non-specific period of time (The average interval must be defined)

Ex: For about every 15min sister does yard work, she is offered a glass of lemonade (VI-15min)

Question 7

Post Reinforcement Pause

Answer 7

An absence in responding for a period of time following a reinforcement

An effect commonly produced by FR and FI schedules of reinforcement

Question 8

Ratio Strain

Answer 8

Decrease in responding when the requirement for reinforcement is too high

Occurs generally in FR schedules

Question 9

Limited Hold

Answer 9

The reinforcer is available only for a set time

If learner doesn’t attempt to access reinforcer during the Limited Hold, they will lose it for that opportunity.

Question 10

Scallop Effect

Answer 10

Refers to the minimal post reinforcement pause as learner resumes earning reinforcers

Generally increased responding rate when reinforcement time is approaching

Occurs in FR and FI schedules of reinforcement

Question 11

Thicker Schedule of Reinforcement

Answer 11

Requires fewer responses and has more reinforcement opportunities

Question 12

Thinner Schedule of Reinforcement

Answer 12

Requires more responses and has less reinforcement opportunities

Question 13

Compound Schedules of Reinforcement

Answer 13

Includes 2 or more schedules of reinforcement used for a target behavior

Types of compound schedules:

1. Alternative Schedule
2. Conjunctive Schedule
3. Concurrent Schedule
4. Multiple Schedule
5. Mixed Schedule
6. Chained Schedule
7. Tandem Schedule

Question 14

Alternative Schedule (ALT)

Answer 14

Requires the learner to meet EITHER a determined ratio schedule OR interval schedule in order to access reinforcer

Ex: break given after assembling 20 bottles or after working for 1 hour (ALT FR-20 FI-1 hour)

Question 15

Conjunctive Schedule (CONJ)

Answer 15

Requires learner to meet criteria of BOTH ratio and interval schedule to access reinforcer

Ex: Coach gives water break when athlete does at least 150 jumping jacks and spends at least 2min doing jumping jacks

Question 16

Concurrent Schedule (CONC)

Answer 16

Requires 2 or more schedules operating for 2 or more behaviors; they run simultaneously with their own separate contingencies.

Ex: For every 5 bites of veggies, child gets a gummy bear (FR-5)
Also after about every 20min of homework, child gets a short break to play outside (CONC FR-5 FI-20min)

Question 17

Multiple Schedule (MULT)

Answer 17

Requires 2 or more schedules of reinforcement for same behavior, only one presented at a time

Learner can differentiate when you’ve changed the schedules of reinforcement

Ex: Mom praises child every time she pees in potty. Dad praises child when she stays seated for 2min (MULT FR-1 FI-2min)

Question 18

Mixed Schedule

Answer 18

Requires 2 or more schedules of reinforcement for the same behavior, only 1 presented at a time

Ex: Mom and dad working on potty training child. Sometimes they praise her for every time she pees in potty and other times they praise her when she stays seated on potty for 2min (MIX FR-1 FI-2)

Question 19

Chained Schedule

Answer 19

Response requirement of 2 or more basic schedules must be met in a specific sequence before reinforcement is delivered

Learner can discriminate between schedules

Ex: Child must sit in chair and hold open mouth at dentist’s clinic for about 20min and then stand at x-ray machine while 8 images are taken. After both tasks are completed, the child can choose a toy from prize box (CHAIN VI-30min FR-8)

Question 20

Tandem Schedule

Answer 20

Requires learner to complete task on 1st schedule which leads to next schedule. Once all schedules of reinforcement are complete, only then does the learner access reinforcer

Learner is not able to distinguish between schedules, its not signaled

Question 21

Non-Contingent Reinforcement

Answer 21

Involves providing reinforcement on a FI or VI schedule regardless of whether or not target behavior occurs

Typically target behavior is a problematic behavior targeted for reduction

Question 22

Behavioral Momentum

Answer 22

Utilizing strategies that capitalize on the client engaging in other desired behaviors before a target behavior is cued or requested

Related to concept in Physics “An object in motion tends to stay in motion”

Question 23

High-P strategies

Answer 23

An antecedent intervention in which 2-5 easy tasks with known history of learner compliance are presented (high-p) in a quick succession immediately before requesting the target task (low-p)

Question 24

Premack Principle

Answer 24

An antecedent intervention wherein a learner is told upfront ‘First-Then’ in terms of contingency

Also called Grandma’s Law