Schedules and Theories of Reinforcement

Question 1

continuous reinforcement (CRF)

Answer 1

each instant of behaviour is reinforced
ex: each lever press results in food
- useful for shaping + strengthening a behvaiour

Question 2

intermittent/partial reinforcement (PRF)

Answer 2

only reinforced for some responses
- when and how often reinforcement is delivered affects learning

Question 3

What are 2 kinds of PRF schedules

Answer 3

1. interval (time)
2. ratio (how many)

they can be fixed or variable: FR, VR, FI, VI

Question 4

Fixed Ratio Schedule

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

FR stretching ratio

Answer 5

going from low ratio requirement to a high ratio requirement: should be done gradually so avoid burn out

ex: FR3 -> FR5 -> FR7-> FR10

Question 6

Variable Ratio Schedule

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Fixed Interval Schedule

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Variable Interval Schedule

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Duration schedules

Answer 9

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)

Question 10

differential reinforcement for high rate of response

Answer 10

reinforcement is provided for a high rate of response and not low

ex: winning a race depends on how fast you run

Question 11

differential reinforcement for low rate of response

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Non-contingent schedules and 2 types

Answer 12

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)

Question 13

Superstitious behaviours

Answer 13

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

Question 14

limitation to noncontingent schedules

Answer 14

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

Question 15

advantage to noncontingent scheuldes

Answer 15

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

Question 16

conjunctive schedule

Answer 16

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

Question 17

adjusting

Answer 17

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

Question 18

chained schedule

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Backward chaining

Answer 19

training the final link first makes the chain more effective

Question 20

Drive Reduction Theory

Answer 20

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

Question 21

The Premack principle

Answer 21

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)

Question 22

response deprivation hypothesis

Answer 22

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