Questions and Answers
What is a schedule of reinforcement?
What is a fixed-ratio (FR) schedule?
A schedule where a specific number of responses are required to receive a reinforcer.
What happens in a fixed-ratio schedule?
The number of responses required to get the reinforcer remains the same every time.
Describe a variable-ratio (VR) schedule.
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Interval schedules of reinforcement are work-based.
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What is a fixed-interval (FI) schedule?
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What is the outcome of a variable-interval schedule?
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What does a variable-ratio schedule create?
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A pause after reinforcement followed by a gradual increase in rate is known as a ______.
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What is resistance to extinction?
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People tend to work rapidly on fixed-ratio schedules.
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Study Notes
Schedules of Reinforcement Overview
- A reinforcement schedule establishes a contingency: IF behavior THEN reinforcer.
- The simplest form is a Fixed-Ratio (FR) schedule, where one response guarantees a reinforcer (e.g., lifting a pizza to the mouth).
Fixed-Ratio Schedules
- FR schedules require a set number of responses for each reinforcer, consistent across trials (e.g., a FR 2 involves two actions for a reward).
- Example: A person receives a bonus for selling a specific number of products monthly (e.g., FR 35 for selling 35 movies).
Variable-Ratio Schedules
- Responses required for reinforcement varies, averaging around a mean (e.g., VR 10).
- Example: Petting a cat may result in purring at unpredictable intervals, signifying a variable-ratio schedule.
Work-Based Nature of Ratio Schedules
- Ratio schedules are linked to response rates; higher work yields more reinforcers.
- Common in workplace environments where negative reinforcement is often more utilized than positive.
Organizational Behavior Management
- Application of behavior analysis principles in workplace settings can eliminate bias in pay based on objective output.
- Ratio schedules can assist in linking reinforcement directly to performance.
Differences Between Fixed and Variable Schedules
- Fixed-ratio schedules provide no reinforcement for all but the last action, while variable-ratio schedules grant a chance of reinforcement for each response.
Summary of Ratio Schedules
- Variable-Ratio (VR) schedules foster a stronger work ethic and less procrastination; they are preferred over Fixed-Ratio (FR) schedules.
- FR schedules can provoke negative emotional reactions and aggressive behaviors due to their rigid structure.
Interval Schedules of Reinforcement
- Interval schedules are time-based, meaning efforts do not expedite reinforcement delivery.
Fixed-Interval Schedules
- Reinforcement occurs after the first response following a set time interval, rendering prior responses ineffective until the interval completion.
Variable-Interval Schedules
- Similar to fixed-interval but time until the next reinforcement is unpredictable, creating steady and moderate response rates without pauses.
Variable-Interval Examples
- Applications such as quality inspection and radio contests exemplify variable-interval schedules where responses prior to a specific time frame are wasted.
Characteristics of Fixed and Variable Schedules
- Fixed-Ratio schedules lead to rapid response rates but induce pauses after reinforcement.
- Variable-Ratio schedules reward responses unpredictably, leading to a consistent, high response rate.
Resistance to Extinction
- Resistance to extinction refers to the persistence of responses in the absence of reinforcement.
Scallop Effect
- A pattern characterized by a pause in responses following reinforcement, then a gradual increase leading up to the next reinforcement.
Advantages of Variable-Interval Schedules
- They promote uniform work rates and mitigate issues of satiation and resistance to extinction.
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Description
Test your understanding of schedules and reinforcement in psychology with this quiz based on Chapters 13 and 14. Explore various reinforcement schedules and their implications in behavior modification. Perfect for consolidating your learning on these essential concepts.
