B-5 Schedules of Reinforcement Flashcards
Continuous Schedules of Reinforcement
A reinforcer is delivered after each instance of target or desired behavior
Ex: Gets praise for each question answered correctly
Intermittent Schedules of Reinforcement
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:
- Fixed Ratio (FR)
- Variable Ratio (VR)
- Fixed Interval (FI)
- Variable Interval (VI)
Fixed Ratio
Schedule of reinforcement requiring a fixed number of correct responses for reinforcement
Ex: FR4- reinforcement follows every 4 correct response
Variable Ratio
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
Fixed Interval
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)
Variable Interval
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)
Post Reinforcement Pause
An absence in responding for a period of time following a reinforcement
An effect commonly produced by FR and FI schedules of reinforcement
Ratio Strain
Decrease in responding when the requirement for reinforcement is too high
Occurs generally in FR schedules
Limited Hold
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.
Scallop Effect
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
Thicker Schedule of Reinforcement
Requires fewer responses and has more reinforcement opportunities
Thinner Schedule of Reinforcement
Requires more responses and has less reinforcement opportunities
Compound Schedules of Reinforcement
Includes 2 or more schedules of reinforcement used for a target behavior
Types of compound schedules:
- Alternative Schedule
- Conjunctive Schedule
- Concurrent Schedule
- Multiple Schedule
- Mixed Schedule
- Chained Schedule
- Tandem Schedule
Alternative Schedule (ALT)
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)
Conjunctive Schedule (CONJ)
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
Concurrent Schedule (CONC)
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)
Multiple Schedule (MULT)
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)
Mixed Schedule
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)
Chained Schedule
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)
Tandem Schedule
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
Non-Contingent Reinforcement
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
Behavioral Momentum
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”
High-P strategies
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)
Premack Principle
An antecedent intervention wherein a learner is told upfront ‘First-Then’ in terms of contingency
Also called Grandma’s Law
