wk. 4

Question 1

Schedules of Reinforcement

Answer 1

• a formula/rule describing the proportion of response that will be reinforced
• can be continuous or intermittent

Question 2

Continuous - schedule (CRF)

Answer 2

every response is reinforced (aka FR1 schedule)

Question 3

Intermittent - schedule

Answer 3

• not every occurrence is reinforced

- most real world examples are intermittent

Question 4

Ratio

Answer 4

• based on the number of response

Question 5

Four Main Categories of Intermittent Schedule

Answer 5

1. Fixed Ratio (FR)
2. Variable Ratio (VR)
3. Fixed Interval (IF)
4. Variable Interval (VI)

Question 6

Fixed Ratio (FR#)

Answer 6

• schedule of reinforcement required the completion of a fixed number of responses for a reinforcer
• Ex: After every 10 hw problems you complete, you get a sticker, every 10 the reinforcer is presented; FR10

Question 7

Variable Ratio

Answer 7

• the number we use in the schedule will fluctuate
• not always the same number of responses
• average is used
• Ex: child repeatedly asks to go play; parent gives in after variable number of requests (~VR3 = the average number to times that the kid asks and then mom gives in) the schedule is not deliberately planned

Question 8

Interval

Answer 8

based on time elapsed since last response

Question 9

Fixed Interval

• hospital patient

Answer 9

• SR follows the first response after a fixed amount of time as passed since last reinforced response
• the reinforcer is available after the fixed amount of time passes and another repose occurs
• The time has to go by and then you have to respond again

Question 10

Variable Interval

• checking phone

Answer 10

• same as fixed interval, except the time is not the same each interval
• schedule can be intentionally varied
• very high rates of responding

Question 11

Dense vs Lean Reinforcement

Answer 11

a lot vs a few

Question 12

Reinforcement Schedule Thinning

Answer 12

• moving from dense to lean schedules of reinforcement
• gradual process to avoid ration strain
• we often want behavior to continue under intermittent schedules (thinner)

Question 13

Ratio Strain

Answer 13

• if the schedule requirements advance too quickly behaviors will decline
• effects are similar to those of extinction (wk 5)

Question 14

Variable vs Interval Schedules

Answer 14

V - produce a lot of responding continuously (task completion)

I - work better for requesting-type behaviors

Question 15

Preference Assessment

Answer 15

• methods for identifying the relative likelihood of certain stimuli to function as reinforcers for an individual
• usually done before intervention begins
• necessary for individuals with limited verbal abilities
• 2 main types: indirect vs direct

Question 16

Indirect Preference Assessment

Answer 16

• relies on verbal report rather than direct observation of subject interaction with stimuli
• interviews/surveys
• have poor correspondence with reinforcer effects or preference assessment results
• are most useful in combination with direct assessments → come up with a list of items to use in a direct assessment

Question 17

Direct Preference Assessment

Answer 17

• systematically expose the subject to the actual stimuli
• measure approach, engagement, and/or consumption with those items
• several main types → we will focus on four
• items are offered for a certain amount of time
  (ex: 30 sec to 1 min)

Question 18

Four Types of Direct Assessment

Answer 18

1. Single Stimulus
2. Paired Stimulus
3. Multiple- Stimulus (MSWO)
4. Free Operant Stimulus

Question 19

Single Stimulus Preference Assessment

Answer 19

• present each item one at a time for a certain number of trials
• measure approach or engagement
• yes/no: was the item consumed or used → then report as a percentage of trials
• use average to create hierarchy of items (most to least preferred)
• oldest, simplest, most limited

Question 20

Paired Stimulus Preference Assessment

Answer 20

• present items two at a time and ask subject to choose one
• subject receives chosen items; present all possible pairings out of the set of items

Ex: game Ellen plays –. Who Would You Date?

A lot of trials

Question 21

Multiple- Stimulus Preference Assessment (MSWO)

Answer 21

• present all items in assessment at once; ask subject to choose one
• subject receive chosen item → chosen item is taken out of array (not replaced)
• continue this process until they stop choosing or out of items
• often repeat process more than once and average results together
• calculate % of trials item selected out of # of times it was available

Question 22

Free Operant Stimulus Preference Assessment

Answer 22

• present all items being assessed; allow subject free access
• not completed in trials
• measurement → record duration of engagement with each item within an interval
• report percentage they engaged with each item

Question 23

Preference vs Reinforcement Assessment

identify the differences

Answer 23

• Preference assessment typically produce ranked hierarchies
• How preferred the items are relative to one another
• Preferred does not necessarily = reinforcer
• Responses may vary substantially in terms of their effort
• Behavior measured in a preference assessment is selection approach or engagement
• Whether a preferred item will be reinforced for other tasks: unclear until a reinforcer assessment is conducted
• **Just because its preferred does not mean its a reinforcer
• **Just because it’s a reinforcer for one task, does not mean it is a reinforcer for another or every task