Week 7: Schedules and Theories of Reinforcement Flashcards
Schedule of Reinforcement
The response requirement that must be met to obtain reinforcement.
Continuous Reinforcement Schedules
Each specified response is reinforced (CRF).
Useful when first being shaped/strengthened.
Intermittent (or partial) Reinforcement Schedule
When only some responses are reinforced. Much of everyday life.
Steady-State Behaviours
Stable response patterns.
Fixed Ratio Schedules (FR)
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).
Stretching the Ratio
Moving from a dense schedule to a lean schedule.
Ratio Strain
Disruption in responding due to an overly demanding response requirement (burnout).
Variable Ratio Schedules (VR)
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).
Fixed Interval Schedule (FI)
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.
Variable Interval Schedules (VI)
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.
Duration Schedules
Reinforcement contingent on performing a behaviour continuously throughout a period of time. Imprecise. Can undermine intrinsic interest.
Fixed Duration Schedule (FD)
Behaviour must be performed continuously for a fixed, predictable amount of time.
Variable Duration Schedule (VD)
Behaviour must be performed continuously for a varying, unpredictable amount of time.
Response-Rate Schedules
Reinforcement directly contingent upon organism’s rate of response.
Differential Reinforcement of High Rates (DRH)
Contingent upon emitting at least a certain number of responses in a certain period of time.
Differential Reinforcement of Low Rates (DRL)
A minimum amount of time must pass between each response before reinforcer will be delivered.
Differential Reinforcement of Paced Response (DRP)
Contingent upon emitting a series of responses at a set rate.
Noncontingent Schedule of Reinforcement
Reinforcer delivered independently of any response.
Fixed Time Schedule (FT)
Reinforcer is delivered following a fixed, predictable amount of time, regardless of organism’s behaviour.
Variable Time Schedule (VT)
Reinforcer delivered following a varying, unpredictable period of time, regardless of organism’s behaviour.
Adjunctive Behaviour
Innate tendencies.
Complex Schedule of Reinforcement
Combination of two or more schedules.
Conjunction Schedules
Requirements of two or more schedules must be met before a reinforcer will be delivered.
Adjusting Schedules
Response requirement changes as a function of the organism’s performance.
