Schedules and Theories of Reinforcement Flashcards
continuous reinforcement (CRF)
each instant of behaviour is reinforced
ex: each lever press results in food
- useful for shaping + strengthening a behvaiour
intermittent/partial reinforcement (PRF)
only reinforced for some responses
- when and how often reinforcement is delivered affects learning
What are 2 kinds of PRF schedules
- interval (time)
- ratio (how many)
they can be fixed or variable: FR, VR, FI, VI
Fixed Ratio Schedule
- reinforcement is given after a certain about of responses
ex: FR10 = after 10 lever presses there will be food - rapid rate of responding
- small post reinforcement pauses
- the larger the ratio, the longer the pause
FR stretching ratio
going from low ratio requirement to a high ratio requirement: should be done gradually so avoid burn out
ex: FR3 -> FR5 -> FR7-> FR10
Variable Ratio Schedule
reinforcement contingent on varying unpredictable number of responses
- an average number
- no pauses - high rate of response
ex: only some acts of politeness are acknowledged
ex: gambling: maladaptive behaviours
Fixed Interval Schedule
reinforcement contingent on the first response after a fixed period of time
ex: FI30sec - first lever press after 30 secs = food
- post-reinforcement pauses with an increased rate of responding closer to the interval close
Variable Interval Schedule
reinforcement contingent on the first response after a varying unpredictable period
ex: VI30 sec - first lever press after an average of 30 seconds results in a food pellet
- moderate steady rate of response (gets reinforcement as soon as its available) with no PRP
Duration schedules
behaviour is continunous for a period of time
ex: a rat must run on a wheel for 60 seconds to get a treat (FD60)
ex: a rat must run on a wheel for an unpredictable amount of time with an average of 60 seconds (VD60)
differential reinforcement for high rate of response
reinforcement is provided for a high rate of response and not low
ex: winning a race depends on how fast you run
differential reinforcement for low rate of response
reinforcement is provided for a low rate of response and not high
ex: praising a child for brushing teeth slowly
useful for strengthening inhibition- reinforced for withholding behaviour
Non-contingent schedules and 2 types
you aren’t required to do something to get a reinforcement, it just happens
Fixed (FT): getting a present on ur bday every year
Variable (VT): running into a friend on average every 3 months (VT3)
Superstitious behaviours
coincidental presentation of reinforcement during a behaviour
ex: pigeons conincidentable spun when food was delivered so they kept spinning, thinking they would get more food
In sports, many athletes so something before a win, and continue doing that thing, thinking it will get them more wins
limitation to noncontingent schedules
would students study if they knew they would get an A? people will probably stop putting effort into their response for a rewarding schedule if a non-contingent one is offered to them
advantage to noncontingent scheuldes
it can be used to reduce maladaptove behaviours
ex: children who act out want attention, but if given attention on a non-contingent schedule they’ll stop acting out
conjunctive schedule
requirements of 2 schedules must be met simultaneously to receive a reinfrocer
ex: a new paper boy must work fast and sell many news papers to get paid
adjusting
the response requirement changes after acting so well on one schedule
ex: learning an instrument so well and then being asked to learn 2 the next week
chained schedule
independent scheduels chained together with the end result being a reward
SD: R -> SR/SD: R-> SR
the last SR is more immediate and influential
goal gradient effect: high strength in responding = gloser to the goal
Backward chaining
training the final link first makes the chain more effective
Drive Reduction Theory
when an event is reinforcing to the extent that its associated with a reduction in a physiological drive
ex: good deprivation (hunger drive) - animal behaves strongly to get food (like turning left in a maze)
events that seem associated with drive reduction may be done by intensive factors (ex: doing something for the rewarding property of the reinforcer) - like drinking soda instead of water just cause it tastes good
The Premack principle
knowing whats a motivating factor or a reinforcer can be difficult
- a high probability behaviour can be used to reinforce a low probability behavior
ex: lever pressing (LPB) is reinforced by eating food (HPB)
ex: a few mins studying (LPB) is reinforced by an hour on the phone (HPB)
response deprivation hypothesis
when a behaviour is a reinforcer because there is low access to it and its frequency falls below the preferred level
ex: taking a phone away, and only allowing 15 mins on it, a student will work for more hours to be on the phone
