Chapter 6, Exam #2 Flashcards
cumulative responses
number of responses
response rate
number of responses over time
continuous reinforcement
a correct response is reinforced every time it occurs
Intermittent (partial) reinforcement
reinforcement occurs for some responses but not all
ratio schedule
reinforcement is based on the number of responses (the ratio of reinforced to non reinforced responses
interval schedule
reinforcement is based on the time since the last reinforced response
Fixed ratio (FR)
the number of reinforced responses is a fixed number
Variable ratio (VR)
the number of reinforced responses varies
Post-reinforcement pause
a pause in responding following reinforcement, associated primarily with FI and FR schedules
run rate
the rate at which a behavior occurs once it has resumed reinforcement
Fixed interval (FI)
The amount of time the animal must wait until the next response is reinforced is fixed
Variable interval (VI)
The number of reinforced responses varies
Fixed time (FT)
reinforce is delivered after a period of time without regard to behavior
Variable time (VT)
reinforcers delivered at irregular intervals, regardless of behavior
Fixed duration (FD)
Reinforcer is delivered if a behavior occurs continuously over a period of time
Variable duration (VD)
Required period of performance varies around some average
Differential reinforcement of low rates (DRL)
rates of responding can be achieved by reinforcing lower levels of the behavior
Differential reinforcement of high rates (DRH)
rates of responding refers to situations in which the reinforcement is contingent on rapid responding
Differential reinforcement of zero responses (DRO)
demonstrated by reinforcing the behavior of not responding
Differential reinforcement of alternative responses (DRA)
combination of reinforcement and extinction
Rate of alternative behavior increases, the undesired behavior will start to extinguish due to reduction in whatever was reinforcing the problem behavior
Differential reinforcement of incompatible responses (DRI)
identifying an alternative behavior that just distracts the person from the target behavior, but runs counter to the behavior
ratio stretch
start the animal out on a low ratio schedule (FR-1) then gradually increase the ratio (FR-3, FR-5, FR-10) stretching too fast or far creates strain
ratio strain
disruption of the pattern of responding due to stretching the ratio of reinforcement too abruptly or too far
Partial reinforcement effect
the tendency of a behavior to be more resistant to extinction following partial reinforcement than following continuous reinforcement
Resistance to extinction
intermittent (partial) reinforcement schedules, compared to continuous reinforcement schedules, make animals reluctant to give up responding when the reinforcers stop
Fixed ratio ex
the stair-step function: pierce rate, fixed commission
Variable ratio ex
the high, steady-rate function: telemarket sales, slot machines
Fixed interval ex
scalloped function: asking for a raise, studying for exam
Variable interval ex
the low, steady-rate function: management by walking around, spot bonuses
Fixed time ex
FT-10 means the animal gets a reinforcer after 10 seconds no matter what it happens to be doing
variable time ex
VT-10 means the reinforcer is delivered every 10 seconds, on average, sometimes more, sometimes less
fixed duration ex
practice violin for 30 consecutive minutes to get an ice cream cone
variable duration ex
child playing piano, but lesson time is variable and there is no knowing when reinforcer will appear
DRL ex
press the bar every 5 seconds. Used to help people slow down
DRH ex
press bar 5 times during every 10-second interval. Used to help people speed up
ratio stretch
FR-1 then gradually increases to FR-3, FR-5, FR-10. Stretching too fast or far creates ratio strain (responding is disrupted)
Sequential Hypothesis-
The sequence of reinforced and non-reinforced responses becomes a cue for future responding. An animal performs longer in the absence of reinforcement following intermittent rewards because non-reinforced trials are cues to keep on responding
Response Unit Hypothesis
The response should not be defined as a single behavior. The “response” is whatever complex actions (“units” of behavior) lead to a reinforcement
Discrimination Hypothesis
it is harder for the animal to discriminate between an intermittent schedule and extinction than between continuous reinforcement and extinction (i.e., the animal can’t tell when partial reinforcement ends and extinction begins)
Frustration Hypothesis
There is greater frustration for animals who switch from continuous reinforcement to extinction than for animals who switch from partial reinforcement to extinction. Frustrated animals stop responding sooner
