Schedules of Reinforcement

Question 1

What is the difference between continuous and partial reinforcement?

Answer 1

Continuous reinforcement has:
1. more rapid learning
2. consequences easier to perceive
3. extinction more rapid

Question 2

Define the ratio (partial) reinforcement schedule

Answer 2

certain number of responses are reinforced

Question 3

Define the interval (partial) reinforcement schedule

Answer 3

some amount of time must elapse between reinforcements

Question 4

Define the fixed (partial) reinforcement schedule

Answer 4

reinforcement occurs after a fixed number of responses or fixed time interval

Question 5

Define the variable (partial) reinforcement schedule

Answer 5

reinforcement occurs after an average number of responses or passage of time
*occurs randomly, so take an average

Question 6

define a fixed ratio schedule (FR)

Answer 6

reinforcement given after a fixed number of responses
*every X responses, produces an outcome

Question 7

define a variable ratio schedule (VR)

Answer 7

reinforcement given after a variable number of responses, centered around an average
*every X responses, produces an outcome, BUT X changes with each reinforcer

Question 8

define post-reinforcement pause

Answer 8

in an FR schedule, it is the time out from responding after each reward.
*the higher the ratio, the longer pause after each reward

Question 9

provide examples of a fixed ratio (FR) schedule

Answer 9

1. a rat must press a lever five times to obtain one food pellet
2. factory workers who get paid a flat fee for every 100 pieces they turn out
3. migrant farm workers who get paid a fixed amount for every bushel of apples picked

Question 10

provide examples of a variable ratio (VR) schedule

Answer 10

1. gambling / slot machines
2. video games
3. sports

Question 11

define a fixed interval schedule (FI)

Answer 11

first correct response after a fixed time interval is reinforced
*after Y seconds, 1 response produces 1 outcome
*behavior before the interval expires has no consequence

Question 12

define a variable interval schedule (VI)

Answer 12

reinforcement given for first correct response after a variable time interval, centered around an average
*after Y seconds, 1 response produces 1 outcome, but Y changes after each outcome. behavior before the interval expires has no consequence

Question 13

in an FR schedule, what is the behavior?

Answer 13

steady responding until reinforcement

Question 14

in an VR schedule, what is the behavior?

Answer 14

constant and high rate of responding

Question 15

in an FI schedule, what is the behavior?

Answer 15

1. at beginning of interval, little/no responding
2. increases to rapid rate of responding before interval expiration

Question 16

in an VI schedule, what is the behavior?

Answer 16

steady but low rate of responding

Question 17

provide an example of a fixed interval (FI) schedule

Answer 17

1. detention from 3 to 4. After arrives, little point in checking watch for first 15/20 mins. worth checking after he estimates 30/40 mins have passed, just in case time is flying by faster than he thinks. As the time gets closer to an hour, might check watch more frequently, not wanting to stay a moment longer than necessary.
2. watching clock for appointment

Question 18

provide an example of a variable interval (VI) schedule

Answer 18

checking for email

Question 19

define the matching law of choice behavior

Answer 19

response rates to concurrent schedules often correspond to the rate of reinforcement for each schedule

Question 20

Why are VR and VI so different?

Answer 20

VR: more responses = more reinforcers (got to play to win!)
VI: more responses does not equal more reinforcers (only need to check in)

Question 21

Rank the 4 schedules from hardest to extinguish to the easiest

Answer 21

Variable ratio
Variable interval
Fixed interval
Fixed ratio