Chapter 6: Schedules of Reinforcement

Question 1

Chain schedule

Answer 1

A complex reinforcement schedule that consists of a series of simple schedules, each of which is associated with a particular stimulus, with reinforcement delivered only on completion of the last schedule in the series. (C’. tandem schedule.)

Question 2

Concurrent schedule

Answer 2

A complex reinforcement schedule in which two or more simple schedules are available at the same time.

Question 3

Continuous reinforcement

Answer 3

A reinforcement schedule in which a behavior is reinforced each time it occurs. Abbreviated CRF. (C’. intermittent schedule.)

Question 4

Cooperative schedule

Answer 4

A complex reinforcement schedule in which reinforcement is contingent on the behavior of two or more individuals.

Question 5

Differential reinforcement

Answer 5

Any operant training procedure in which certain kinds of behavior are systematically reinforced and others are not.

Question 6

Differential reinforcement of high rate (DRH)

Answer 6

A form of differential reinforcement in which a behavior is reinforced only if it occurs at least a specified number of times in a given period. (C’. differential reinforcement of low rate.)

Question 7

Differential reinforcement of low rate (DRL)

Answer 7

A form of differential reinforcement in which a behavior is reinforced only if it occurs no more than a specifi ed number of times in a given period. (C’. differential reinforcement of high rate.)

Question 8

Discrimination hypothesis

Answer 8

The proposal that the PRE occurs because it is harder to discriminate between intermittent reinforcement and extinction than between continuous reinforcement and extinction.

Question 9

Fixed duration (FD) schedule

Answer 9

A reinforcement schedule in which reinforcement is contingent on the continuous performance of a behavior for a fixed period of time. (C’. variable duration schedule.)

Question 10

Fixed interval (FI) schedule

Answer 10

A reinforcement schedule in which a behavior is reinforced the first time it occurs following a specified interval since the last reinforcement. (C’. variable interval schedule.)

Question 11

Fixed ratio (FR) schedule

Answer 11

A reinforcement schedule in which every nth performance of a behavior is reinforced. (C’. variable ratio schedule.)

Question 12

Fixed time (FT) schedule

Answer 12

A reinforcement schedule in which reinforcement is delivered independently of behavior at fixed intervals. (C’. variable time schedule.)

Question 13

Frustration hypothesis

Answer 13

The proposal that the PRE occurs because nonreinforcement is frustrating and during intermittent reinforcement frustration becomes an S+ for responding.

Question 14

Intermittent schedule

Answer 14

Any of several reinforcement schedules in which a behavior is sometimes reinforced. Also called partial reinforcement. (C’. continuous reinforcement.)

Question 15

Matching law

Answer 15

The principle that, given the opportunity to respond on two or more reinforcement schedules, the rate of responding on each schedule will match the reinforcement available on each schedule.

Question 16

Mixed schedule

Answer 16

A complex reinforcement schedule in which two or more simple schedules, neither associated with a particular stimulus, alternate. (C’. multiple schedule.)

Question 17

Multiple schedule

Answer 17

A complex reinforcement schedule in which two or more simple schedules alternate, with each schedule associated with a particular stimulus. (C’. mixed schedule.)

Question 18

Noncontingent reinforcement (NCR)

Answer 18

The procedure of providing reinforcers independently of behavior.

Question 19

Partial reinforcement effect (PRE)

Answer 19

The tendency of a behavior to be more resistant to extinction following partial reinforcement than following continuous reinforcement. (Also often referred to as the partial reinforcement extinction effect, or PREE.)

Question 20

Postreinforcement pause

Answer 20

A pause in responding following reinforcement; associated primarily with FI and FR schedules.

Question 21

Preratio pause

Answer 21

A pause that occurs following reinforcement and before a response run. Also called postreinforcement pause.

Question 22

Ratio strain

Answer 22

Disruption of the pattern of responding due to stretching the ratio of reinforcement too abruptly or too far.

Question 23

Response unit hypothesis

Answer 23

The proposal that the PRE is due to differences in the definition of a behavior during intermittent and continuous reinforcement.

Question 24

Run rate

Answer 24

The rate at which a behavior occurs once it has resumed following reinforcement.

Question 25

Schedule effects

Answer 25

The distinctive rate and pattern of responding associated with a particular reinforcement schedule.

Question 26

Schedule of reinforcement

Answer 26

A rule describing the delivery of reinforcers for a behavior.

Question 27

Sequential hypothesis

Answer 27

The proposal that the PRE occurs because the sequence of reinforced and nonreinforced behaviors during intermittent reinforcement becomes an S+ for responding during extinction.

Question 28

Stretching the ratio

Answer 28

The procedure of gradually increasing the number of responses required for reinforcement.

Question 29

Tandem schedule

Answer 29

A complex reinforcement schedule that consists of a series of simple schedules, with reinforcement delivered only on completion of the last schedule in the series. The simple schedules are not associated with different stimuli. (C’. chain schedule.)

Question 30

Variable duration (VD) schedule

Answer 30

A reinforcement schedule in which reinforcement is contingent on the continuous performance of a behavior for a period of time, with the length of the time varying around an average. (C’. fixed duration schedule.)

Question 31

Variable interval (VI) schedule

Answer 31

A reinforcement schedule in which a behavior is reinforced the first time it occurs following an interval since the last reinforcement, with the interval varying around a specified average. (C’. fixed interval schedule.)

Question 32

Variable ratio (VR) schedule

Answer 32

A reinforcement schedule in which, on average, every nth performance of a behavior is reinforced. (C’. fixed ratio schedule.)

Question 33

Variable time (VT) schedule

Answer 33

A reinforcement schedule in which reinforcement is delivered at varying intervals regardless of what the organism does. (C’. fixed time schedule.)