Week 6: Schedules of Reinforcement Flashcards
What are the four major schedules of reinforcement?
- Fixed Ratio Schedule
- Variable Ratio Schedule
- Fixed Interval Schedule
- Variable Interval Schedule
What is Continuous Reinforcement?
Reinforcement that is administered after every desired or correct response; the most effective method of conditioning a new response.
What is Partial Reinforcement?
A pattern of reinforcement in which some portion of the correct responses are reinforced, rather than 100%; most effective if you want to maintain or increase the rate of response
Example: nagging children and parenting
What are the two basic types of schedules of reinforcement?
- Ratio Schedules
- Interval Schedules
What is a Fixed Ratio Schedule?
A schedule in which a reinforcer is administered after a fixed number of non-reinforced correct responses.
Example: If the fixed ratio is set at 30 responses, a reinforcer is given after 30 responses.
What is the response rate and pattern of responses for a Fixed Ratio Schedule?
Response Rate: Very high
Pattern of Responses: Steady responses with low ratio; brief pause after each reinforcement with very high ratio.
What is a Variable-Ratio Schedule?
A schedule in which a reinforcer is administered on the basis of an average ratio after varying numbers of non-reinforced correct responses.
What is the response rate and pattern of responses for a Variable-Ratio Schedule?
Response Rate: Highest response rate
Pattern of Responses: Constant response pattern, no pauses.
What is a Fixed Interval Schedule?
A schedule in which a reinforcer is administered following the first correct response after a fixed period of time has elapsed.
Example: On a 60 second fixed interval schedule, a reinforcer is given for the first correct response that occurs 60 seconds after the last reinforced response.
What is the response rate and pattern of responses for a Fixed Interval Schedule?
Response Rate: Lowest response rate
Pattern of Responses: Long pause after reinforcement, followed by gradual acceleration.
What is a Variable-Interval Schedule?
A schedule in which a reinforcer is administered on the basis of an average time after the first correct response following a varying time of non-reinforcement.
What is the effect of Continuous and Partial Reinforcement on Extinction?
Partial reinforcement results in a greater resistance to extinction than does continuous reinforcement.
Example: If you are playing a slot machine, you could have many non-reinforced responses before suspecting that the machine is malfunctioning.
What is the Partial-Reinforcement Effect?
The greater the resistance to extinction that occurs when a portion, rather than 100% of the correct responses have been reinforced.
What is the response rate and pattern of response with a variable interval schedule?
Moderate but lower than ratio schedule; stable and uniform pattern of response; more resistant to extinction than fixed interval schedule
