Schedules of Reinforcement: Operant Conditioning
Learning Targets:
1)Describe the schedules of reinforcement
2)Correctly identify the schedule of
reinforcement being used in examples provided.
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Let’s review TYPES of reinforcement● positive reinforcement- something
desirable is ADDED to encourage future behavior
● negative reinforcement- something undesirable is REMOVED to encourage future behavior
negative reinforcement is NOT punishmentreinforcement STRENGTHENS the response
more on negative reinforcement
● escape learning- organism acquires a response that decreases or ends an aversive stimuli (you leave a party because you are being picked on by your peers)
● avoidance learning-organism acquires a response that prevents an aversive stimulus from occurring (you quit going to parties because you get picked on)
reinforcement practice● You wear your seatbelt because you don’t like the
beeping noise your car makes.○ negative reinforcement
● You get a high five for maxing out at a higher weight in PE.○ positive reinforcement
● You have a headache, so you take some tylenol.○ negative reinforcement
● You get paid for going to work.○ positive reinforcement
Continuous ReinforcementReinforcing the desired response, every single time
-doesn’t happen in life very often, mostly reserved for lab situations
IS useful when teaching a new behavior, but the behavior won’t be continuously reinforced forever
Partial Reinforcement
also called intermittent
This teaches the behavior slowly (for most)-More resistant to extinction when you stop reinforcing.
Fixed Ratio Schedules
•A schedule that reinforces a behavior only after a certain number of
behaviors/responses.
–The “specified number” doesn’t matter as long as it stays constant
–Rent 5 videos, get 1 free!–Every 10 coffees @ Starbucks, you get one free!–For every 5 pages of AP Psych you read, I will give you one cookie.–For every 20 pints of blueberries you pick and fill up, I will give you $20.
Variable-Ratio Schedule
•A schedule of reinforcement that reinforces a response after an
unpredictable number of responses.
–Slot machine & pulls to get a “win.”
–Door-to-door salesman & number of houses to get a sale (or any salesperson).
–Golf and a good shot
Fixed Interval Schedule
A schedule of reinforcement that reinforces a behavior/response only after a specified time has elapsed.–Every ½ hour I run, I get $10 for new clothes–Every two weeks I get a paycheck. (Reinforcement is the $$)–After 45 minutes you get to leave class
Variable Interval Schedule
A schedule of reinforcement that reinforces a response at unpredictable
time intervals.
–Checking email/text messages at random times
–Random pop quizzes in a class
–radio contests where they say “listen sometime this hour to call in and
win” but you don’t know how much time will pass before they reward your
listening by giving the call indicator.
Schedules of Reinforcement
What schedule of reinforcement is this? •Continuous Reinforcement?–Reinforce behavior every time it occurs•Fixed Ratio?–Reinforce a behavior after a specified number of responses•Variable Ratio?–Reinforce a behavior after an unpredictable number of responses•Fixed Interval?–Reinforce a behavior after a specified amount of time•Variable Interval?
Reinforce a behavior after an unpredictable amount of time
Sally buys state lottery tickets in hopes her lucky
numbers will win.
What schedule of reinforcement is this? •Continuous Reinforcement?–Reinforce behavior every time it occurs•Fixed Ratio?–Reinforce a behavior after a specified number of responses•Variable Ratio?–Reinforce a behavior after an unpredictable number of responses•Fixed Interval?–Reinforce a behavior after a specified amount of time•Variable Interval?
Reinforce a behavior after an unpredictable amount of time
After every three rooms cleaned, a hotel maid takes a 15-minute break.
What schedule of reinforcement is this? •Continuous Reinforcement?–Reinforce behavior every time it occurs•Fixed Ratio?–Reinforce a behavior after a specified number of responses•Variable Ratio?–Reinforce a behavior after an unpredictable number of responses•Fixed Interval?–Reinforce a behavior after a specified amount of time•Variable Interval?
Reinforce a behavior after an unpredictable amount of time
Sitting on a hill at night, Laura watches
for shooting stars.
What schedule of reinforcement is this? •Continuous Reinforcement?–Reinforce behavior every time it occurs•Fixed Ratio?–Reinforce a behavior after a specified number of responses•Variable Ratio?–Reinforce a behavior after an unpredictable number of responses•Fixed Interval?–Reinforce a behavior after a specified amount of time•Variable Interval?
Reinforce a behavior after an unpredictable amount of time
A teenager receives an allowances every Saturday
What schedule of reinforcement is this? •Continuous Reinforcement?–Reinforce behavior every time it occurs•Fixed Ratio?–Reinforce a behavior after a specified number of responses•Variable Ratio?–Reinforce a behavior after an unpredictable number of responses•Fixed Interval?–Reinforce a behavior after a specified amount of time•Variable Interval?
Reinforce a behavior after an unpredictable amount of time
Matt checks the front porch for a newspaper when the delivery person is extremely unpredictable.
What schedule of reinforcement is this? •Continuous Reinforcement?–Reinforce behavior every time it occurs•Fixed Ratio?–Reinforce a behavior after a specified number of responses•Variable Ratio?–Reinforce a behavior after an unpredictable number of responses•Fixed Interval?–Reinforce a behavior after a specified amount of time•Variable Interval?
Reinforce a behavior after an unpredictable amount of time
A professional baseball player gets a hit every third time
at bat.
What schedule of reinforcement is this? •Continuous Reinforcement?–Reinforce behavior every time it occurs•Fixed Ratio?–Reinforce a behavior after a specified number of responses•Variable Ratio?–Reinforce a behavior after an unpredictable number of responses•Fixed Interval?–Reinforce a behavior after a specified amount of time•Variable Interval?
Reinforce a behavior after an unpredictable amount of time
A charitable organization
receives a donation every 10 phone
calls..
What schedule of reinforcement is this? •Continuous Reinforcement?–Reinforce behavior every time it occurs•Fixed Ratio?–Reinforce a behavior after a specified number of responses•Variable Ratio?–Reinforce a behavior after an unpredictable number of responses•Fixed Interval?–Reinforce a behavior after a specified amount of time•Variable Interval?
Reinforce a behavior after an unpredictable amount of time
Mrs. Schlicht keeps playing the slots because it hasn’t paid out yet.
Consequence
● something positive or negative that happens to impact future behavior.
Punishmentan event following a response WEAKENS
the tendency that the response will be
repeated
● Positive punishment-giving an unpleasant stimulus to decrease the probability of a behavior repeating○ being yelled at for breaking curfew
● Negative punishment-removing a stimulus to decrease the probability of a behavior repeating○ losing your phone for breaking curfew
Class Practice● Antonio gets a speeding ticket.
○ (positive) punishment● Diane’s supervisor complements her hard work.
○ positive reinforcement● Leon goes to the gym for a rare workout and pushes himself so hard that
his body aches and he throws up.○ (positive) punishment
● Audrey lets her dog out so she doesn’t have to listen to him whine.○ negative reinforcement (Audrey) positive (dog)
● Richard shoots up heroin to ward off tremors and chills associated with heroin withdrawal.○ negative reinforcement
● Molly and Maggie are fighting over a toy. Their mom takes the toy away so neither can play with it.● negative punishment
Class Practice● Your mom nags you about your grades. You turn in your missing
work.○ negative reinforcement
● You are off task in class and the teacher keeps giving you a nasty look. You get out your book and start working.○ negative reinforcement
● Kelly has always wanted a Razr scooter. She’s never had good grades before but now has straight A’s and her parents get her a scooter.○ positive reinforcement
● You pay your credit card on time, avoiding the late fee○ negative reinforcement