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Questions and Answers
What does a schedule of reinforcement indicate?
What does a schedule of reinforcement indicate?
What is continuous reinforcement?
What is continuous reinforcement?
Each specified response is reinforced.
What is intermittent reinforcement?
What is intermittent reinforcement?
Only some responses are reinforced.
What does a ratio schedule require?
What does a ratio schedule require?
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What characterizes a fixed ratio schedule?
What characterizes a fixed ratio schedule?
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What is an example of a fixed ratio schedule?
What is an example of a fixed ratio schedule?
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What is a post-reinforcement pause?
What is a post-reinforcement pause?
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What defines variable ratio schedules?
What defines variable ratio schedules?
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What is an example of variable ratio schedules?
What is an example of variable ratio schedules?
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What characterizes fixed interval schedules?
What characterizes fixed interval schedules?
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What describes variable interval schedules?
What describes variable interval schedules?
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Match the following schedules with their descriptions:
Match the following schedules with their descriptions:
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What is the key difference between working and checking in response schedules?
What is the key difference between working and checking in response schedules?
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What is the outcome of Reynolds Experiment regarding VR and VI schedules?
What is the outcome of Reynolds Experiment regarding VR and VI schedules?
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In general, what do fixed schedules produce compared to variable schedules?
In general, what do fixed schedules produce compared to variable schedules?
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Study Notes
Schedule of Reinforcement
- Defines the requirements for delivering reinforcers, influencing behavior based on the nature of the response.
Continuous Reinforcement
- Involves reinforcement after every specified response.
- Effective for initially strengthening or shaping behavior.
Intermittent Reinforcement
- Reinforcement is provided only for some responses, contrasting continuous reinforcement.
Ratio Schedule
- Requires a certain number of responses for reinforcement.
- Types include:
- Fixed Ratio (FR): Reinforcement after a set number of responses.
- Variable Ratio (VR): Reinforcement based on a varying number of responses, averaging around a set number.
Interval Schedule
- Reinforcement is timed, contingent on the passage of a specific time period after the last reinforcement.
- Types include:
- Fixed Interval (FI): Reinforcement after a predictable time.
- Variable Interval (VI): Reinforcement after varying time periods.
Fixed Ratio (FR)
- Reinforcement follows a predictable number of responses, leading to high response rates with short post-reinforcement pauses.
- Higher response demands can produce longer pauses if they are more challenging.
Postreinforcement Pause
- A brief pause following reinforcement before responding resumes.
Variable Ratio Schedules (VR)
- Reinforcement depends on an unpredictable number of responses, resulting in high and steady response rates with minimal postreinforcement pauses.
- Tends to elicit persistence in behaviors, including maladaptive ones such as gambling.
Examples of VR Schedules
- Gambling and receiving rewards for certain acts of kindness demonstrate unpredictable reinforcement.
Fixed Interval Schedules (FI)
- Involves rewards based on responses following a fixed time period, typically producing a scalloped response pattern as the interval approaches completion.
Variable Interval Schedules (VI)
- Reinforcement is provided based on varying time intervals, promoting a steady response rate with minimal pauses.
Working Versus Checking
- Working: Reflects a ratio schedule mindset, where responses are faster.
- Checking: Indicates an interval schedule mindset, with slower responses.
Reynolds Experiment
- Studied VR and VI schedules, revealing that animals on VR schedules responded significantly faster than those on VI, despite receiving equal reinforcement.
Fixed versus Variable Types
- Fixed Schedules: Typically result in postreinforcement pauses since responses are predictable.
- Variable Schedules: Eliminate the predictability of reinforcement timing, leading to higher response rates; VR schedules yield the highest responses.
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Description
This quiz explores the various schedules of reinforcement in psychology, focusing on both continuous and intermittent reinforcement. It covers different types of ratio and interval schedules, analyzing their effects on behavior. Test your understanding of how reinforcement influences responses and behavior shaping.