CH13 - Schedules of Reinforcement (terms only)

Question 1

adjusting schedule

Answer 1

A schedule in which the response requirement changes as a function of the organism’s performance while responding for the previous reinforcer

Question 2

behavioral bliss point approach

Answer 2

The theory that an organism with free access to alternative activities will distribute its behavior in such a way as to maximize overall reinforcement

Question 3

Chained schedule

Answer 3

A schedule consisting of a sequence of two or more simple schedules, each with its own discriminative stimulus and the last of which results in a terminal reinforcer

Question 4

complex schedule

Answer 4

A schedule consisting of a combination of two or more simple schedules

Question 5

conjunctive schedule

Answer 5

A type of complex schedule in which the requirements of two or more simple schedules must be met before a reinforcer is delivered

Question 6

continuous reinforcement schedule

Answer 6

A schedule in which each specified response is reinforced

Question 7

differential reinforcement of high rates (DRH)

Answer 7

A schedule in which reinforcement is contingent upon emitting at least a certain number of responses in a certain period of time–or, more generally, reinforcement is provided for responding at a fast rate

Question 8

differential reinforcement of low rates (DRL)

Answer 8

A schedule in which a minimum amount of time must pass between each response before the reinforcer will be delivered–or, more generally, reinforcement is provided for responding at a slow rate

Question 9

differential reinforcement of paced responding (DRP)

Answer 9

A schedule in which reinforcement is contingent upon emitting a series of responses at a set rate–or, more generally, reinforcement is provided for responding neither too fast nor too slow

Question 10

drive reduction theory

Answer 10

According to this theory, an event is reinforcing to the extent that it is associated with a reduction in some type of physiological drive

Question 11

fixed duration (FD) schedule

Answer 11

A schedule in which reinforcement is contingent upon continuous performance of a behavior for a fixed, predictable period of time

Question 12

fixed interval (FI) schedule

Answer 12

A schedule in which reinforcement is contingent upon the first response after a fixed, predictable period of time

Question 13

fixed ratio (FR) schedule

Answer 13

A schedule in which reinforcement is contingent upon a fixed, predictable number of responses

Question 14

fixed time (FT) schedule

Answer 14

A schedule in which the reinforcer is delivered following a fixed, predictable period of time, regardless of the organism’s behavior

Question 15

goal gradient effect

Answer 15

An increase in the strength and/or efficiency of responding as one draws near to the goal

Question 16

incentive motivation

Answer 16

Motivation derived from some property of the reinforcer, as opposed to an internal drive state

Question 17

intermittent (or partial) reinforcement schedule

Answer 17

A schedule in which the reinforcer is delivered independently of any response

Question 18

noncontingent schedule of reinforcement

Answer 18

A schedule in which the reinforcer is delivered independently of any response

Question 19

Premack principle

Answer 19

The notion that a high-probability behavior can be used to reinforce a low-probability behavior

Question 20

ratio strain

Answer 20

A disruption in responding due to an overly demanding response requirement

Question 21

response deprivation hypothesis

Answer 21

The notion that a behavior can serve as reinforcer when: (1) access to the behavior is restricted and (2) its frequency thereby falls below its preferred level of occurrence

Question 22

response-rate schedule

Answer 22

A schedule in which reinforcement is contingent upon the organism’s rate of response

Question 23

schedule of reinforcement

Answer 23

The response requirement that must be met to obtain reinforcement

Question 24

variable duration (VD) schedule

Answer 24

A schedule in which reinforcement is contingent upon continuous performance of a behavior for a varying, unpredictable period of time

Question 25

variable interval (VI) schedule

Answer 25

A schedule in which reinforcement is contingent upon the first response after a varying, unpredictable period of time

Question 26

variable ratio (VR) schedule

Answer 26

A schedule in which reinforcement is contingent upon a varying, unpredictable number of responses

Question 27

variable time (VT) schedule

Answer 27

A schedule in which the reinforcer is delivered following a varying, unpredictable period of time, regardless of the organism’s behavior