Week 7: Schedules and Theories of Reinforcement

Question 1

Schedule of Reinforcement

Answer 1

The response requirement that must be met to obtain reinforcement.

Question 2

Continuous Reinforcement Schedules

Answer 2

Each specified response is reinforced (CRF).

Useful when first being shaped/strengthened.

Question 3

Intermittent (or partial) Reinforcement Schedule

Answer 3

When only some responses are reinforced. Much of everyday life.

Question 4

Steady-State Behaviours

Answer 4

Stable response patterns.

Question 5

Fixed Ratio Schedules (FR)

Answer 5

Reinforcement is contingent upon a fixed, predictable number of responses.
High rate of response, with a post-reinforcement pause. “Break-and-run” response.
Dense/Rich: Reinforcer easily attained (ex: FR 5)
Lean: Reinforcer not easily attained (ex: FR 100).

Question 6

Stretching the Ratio

Answer 6

Moving from a dense schedule to a lean schedule.

Question 7

Ratio Strain

Answer 7

Disruption in responding due to an overly demanding response requirement (burnout).

Question 8

Variable Ratio Schedules (VR)

Answer 8

Reinforcement contingent upon a varying, unpredictable number of responses.
Produce high and steady rate of response, often with little or no post-reinforcement pause (especially when minimum response requirement is low).

Question 9

Fixed Interval Schedule (FI)

Answer 9

Reinforcement is contingent upon the first response after a fixed, predictable period of time.
Scalloped (upwardly curved) pattern - post-reinforcement pause followed by a gradually increasing rate of response as interval draws to a close.

Question 10

Variable Interval Schedules (VI)

Answer 10

Reinforcement is contingent upon the first response after a varying, unpredictable amount of time.
Moderate, steady rate of response, often with little or no post-reinforcement pause.

Question 11

Duration Schedules

Answer 11

Reinforcement contingent on performing a behaviour continuously throughout a period of time. Imprecise. Can undermine intrinsic interest.

Question 12

Fixed Duration Schedule (FD)

Answer 12

Behaviour must be performed continuously for a fixed, predictable amount of time.

Question 13

Variable Duration Schedule (VD)

Answer 13

Behaviour must be performed continuously for a varying, unpredictable amount of time.

Question 14

Response-Rate Schedules

Answer 14

Reinforcement directly contingent upon organism’s rate of response.

Question 15

Differential Reinforcement of High Rates (DRH)

Answer 15

Contingent upon emitting at least a certain number of responses in a certain period of time.

Question 16

Differential Reinforcement of Low Rates (DRL)

Answer 16

A minimum amount of time must pass between each response before reinforcer will be delivered.

Question 17

Differential Reinforcement of Paced Response (DRP)

Answer 17

Contingent upon emitting a series of responses at a set rate.

Question 18

Noncontingent Schedule of Reinforcement

Answer 18

Reinforcer delivered independently of any response.

Question 19

Fixed Time Schedule (FT)

Answer 19

Reinforcer is delivered following a fixed, predictable amount of time, regardless of organism’s behaviour.

Question 20

Variable Time Schedule (VT)

Answer 20

Reinforcer delivered following a varying, unpredictable period of time, regardless of organism’s behaviour.

Question 21

Adjunctive Behaviour

Answer 21

Innate tendencies.

Question 22

Complex Schedule of Reinforcement

Answer 22

Combination of two or more schedules.

Question 23

Conjunction Schedules

Answer 23

Requirements of two or more schedules must be met before a reinforcer will be delivered.

Question 24

Adjusting Schedules

Answer 24

Response requirement changes as a function of the organism’s performance.

Question 25

Chained Schedules

Answer 25

A sequence of two or more simple schedules, each having a SD, and the last simple schedule resulting in a terminal reinforcer.

Question 26

Goal Gradient Effect

Answer 26

Increase in strength and or efficiency of responding as one draws near the goal.

Question 27

Backward Chaining

Answer 27

Training final link first, and inital link last.

Question 28

Drive Reduction Theory

Answer 28

An event is reinforcing to the extent that it is associated with a reduction in some type of physiological drive.

Question 29

Incentive Motivation

Answer 29

Motivation derived from some property of the reinforcer (not an internal drive state).

Question 30

The Premack Principle

Answer 30

A high-probability behaviour can be used to reinforce a low-probability behaviour.

Question 31

Response Deprivation Hypothesis

Answer 31

A behaviour can serve as a reinforcer when access to its behaviour is restricted, and its frequency thereby falls below its preferred level of occurrence.

Question 32

Behavioural Bliss Point

Answer 32

An organism with free access to alternative activities will distribute its behaviour in such as way as to maximize overall reinforcement.