Psychology Unit 4: Chapter 7 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Provide and recognize original examples of learning in which no new behaviour is acquired.

A change in behaviour that results from changing reinforcement schedules are an example of learning.

Define a schedule of reinforcement and schedule effects.

Schedules of reinforcement (SOR): the contingency between a behaviour and a reinforcement; the distinctive rules are called schedules of reinforcement. Schedule effect (SE): various schedules of reinforcement produce distinctive patterns of learning.

Define continuous reinforcement schedules and provide an original example.

Continuous reinforcement (CRF): a behaviour is reinforced every time it occurs. Example: a child is praised every time they hang up their coat.

Define a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement and provide an original example.

Fixed-ratio (FR): a behaviour is reinforced when it has occurred a fixed number of times. Example: a schedule of three lever presses for every reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

Describe pre-ratio pauses and discuss Perone's (2003) explanation for them.

Pauses that follow reinforcement are also called pre-ratio or between-ratio pauses. Perone suggests these pauses are a way to escape the aversive aspects of the schedule. Signup and view all the answers

Define a variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement and provide an original example.

Variable-ratio (VR): average number of responses before reinforcement. Example: VR 5 schedule, reinforcement might occur after one to ten lever presses. Signup and view all the answers

Define a variable-interval schedule of reinforcement and provide an original example.

Variable-interval (VI): interval length is an average before reinforcement. Example: produces high and steady run rates. Signup and view all the answers

Define a fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement and provide an original example.

Fixed-interval (FI): behaviour is reinforced the first time it occurs after a constant interval. Example: a pigeon pecks a disc on an FI 5-second schedule. Signup and view all the answers

What is an operant extinction procedure?

An operant extinction procedure means that previously reinforced behaviour is never followed by reinforcers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the immediate effect of an extinction procedure?

The immediate effect is often an increase in the frequency of the previously reinforced behaviour. Signup and view all the answers

What is an extinction burst?

An extinction burst is a temporary increase in the frequency of a behaviour after the reinforcement has been removed. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Learning and Reinforcement

Behavior changes resulting from modifications in reinforcement schedules exemplify learning without acquiring new behaviors.
Enhancements in speed or effectiveness can occur through altered reinforcement.

Schedules of Reinforcement

Schedules of Reinforcement (SOR): Define the relationship between behavior and reinforcement.
Schedule Effects (SE): Different reinforcement schedules create unique learning patterns.

Continuous Reinforcement

Continuous Reinforcement (CRF): Every occurrence of a behavior is reinforced.
Example: A child receives praise every time they hang up their coat.
Intermittent Reinforcement Schedule (IRS): Reinforcement occurs occasionally, not consistently.
Example: A parent may not always be able to praise their child for hanging up their coat.

Fixed-Ratio Schedules

Fixed-Ratio (FR): Behavior is reinforced after a predetermined number of occurrences.
Example: FR3 requires three lever presses for one reinforcement.
Response Pattern: Generates a break in response after reinforcement, leading to a run rate that increases variance and extends pauses after each reinforcement.

Pre-Ratio Pauses

Pre-ratio pauses result from reinforcement and are explained by Perone (2003) as a method to temporarily escape the arduous nature of working without immediate reward.
Such pauses can mirror procrastination behaviors.

Variable-Ratio Schedules

Variable-Ratio (VR): Reinforcement is based on an average number of responses.
Example: In a VR5 schedule, reinforcement might occur after an average of five lever presses, despite variability in actual occurrences.
Response Pattern: Leads to higher rates of behavior with fewer pauses compared to fixed-ratio schedules.

Variable-Interval Schedules

Variable-Interval (VI): Reinforcement is delivered after varying lengths of time on average.
Produces consistent and stable response rates, although typically lower than FR or VR schedules.

Fixed-Interval Schedules

Fixed-Interval (FI): The first response is reinforced after a fixed time interval.
Example: An FI5" schedule means reinforcement is provided after five seconds.
Response Pattern: Produces a scalloped curve in cumulative records, showing increased responses as the interval approaches.

Operant Extinction

Represents a procedure where previously reinforced behavior no longer receives reinforcement.
The immediate effects of extinction can cause behaviors to intensify temporarily, leading to an "extinction burst."

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Test your understanding of schedules of reinforcement with this quiz. Explore how different reinforcement schedules affect behavior and learning outcomes. Perfect for psychology students delving into behavioral theories.