33 Questions
What is a continuous reinforcement schedule (CRF)?
A schedule in which each specified response is reinforced
What type of schedule is a Fixed Ratio=FR 5?
Reinforcement is contingent upon a fixed, predictable number of responses
In which type of intermittent (partial) schedule does the reinforcement occur after an average number of responses?
(Variable ratio=VR)
What type of schedule characterizes the behavior of starting your car in very cold weather?
(Variable Interval=VI)
According to the Premack principle, reinforcers can often be viewed as _____ rather than stimuli.
behaviors
The Premack principle states that a _____ ____ behavior can be used as a reinforcer for a _____ ____ behavior.
high probability; low probability
If play video games is a diagram of a reinforcement procedure based on the Premack principle, then chewing bubble gum must be a (lower/higher) _______ probability behavior than playing video games.
lower
A behavior can be used as a reinforcer if access to the behavior is restricted so that its frequency falls below its baseline rate (preferred level) of occurrence. Do not need to know the relative probabilities of two behaviors beforehand. The frequency of one behavior relative to its baseline is the important aspect.
True
If a child normally watches 4 hours of television per night, we can make television watching a reinforcer if we restrict free access to the television to (more/less)_______ than 4 hours per night.
less
Gina often goes for a walk through the woods, and even more often she does yardwork. According to the ______, walking through the woods could still be used as a reinforcer for yardwork given that one restricts the frequency of walking to _______ its ________ level.
Premack principle; below; preferred
Kaily typically watches television for 4 hours per day and reads comic books for 1 hour per day. You then set up a contingency whereby Kaily must watch 4.5 hours of television each day in order to have access to her comic books. According to the Premack principle, this will likely be an (effective/ineffective) __________ contingency.
ineffective
If drinking a soda because you love its sweetness is an example of _______ motivation.
intrinsic
According to Hull's Drive Reduction Theory, reinforcement occurs when a stimuli is associated with...
Reduction in physiological drive
Which scenario exemplifies Sheffield's Drive Induction Theory?
Customers repeatedly visiting a barber shop due to the induction of sexual contact through reading materials
What does the Premack Principle suggest about reinforcing behaviors?
High-probability behavior can reinforce a low-probability behavior
How does Sheffield suggest creating strong reinforcement?
Combining drive induction with drive reduction
What did research supporting Hull's theory demonstrate about hungry rats in a T-maze?
Performing better when given several small pellets as reinforcement
What does Sheffield's Drive Induction Theory argue regarding reinforcement?
Reinforcement can occur through the induction of a drive, rather than just the reduction of it.
According to Hull's Drive Reduction Theory, what strengthens preceding behavior?
Reinforcement associated with reduction in physiological drive
In applied settings, how can the Premack Principle be used to make less probable behaviors more reinforcing?
Using high-probability behaviors to reinforce low-probability behaviors
What does Hull's theory fail to explain, leading to the concept of incentive motivation?
Reinforcers not associated with drive reduction
What does D. Premack's Premack Principle view as reinforcers?
Behaviors rather than stimuli
What is the general strategy of commercials according to Sheffield's Drive Induction Theory?
Induce a need state and then reduce it
What type of schedule provides reinforcement after a varying number of responses, leading to a steady rate of response with no postreinforcement pause?
Variable Ratio (VR)
Which schedule reinforces the first response after a fixed period of time, producing a scalloped pattern of responding with a postreinforcement pause?
Fixed Interval (FI)
In which type of intermittent (partial) schedule does the reinforcement occur after an average number of responses?
Variable Ratio (VR)
What is the equation for Fixed Ratio=FR 5?
$f(x) = 5x$
Which schedule results in a high rate of response with a short postreinforcement pause, which increases with higher ratio requirements?
Fixed Ratio (FR)
What type of schedule reinforces the first response after a varying period of time, resulting in a moderate, steady rate of response with little or no postreinforcement pause?
Variable Interval (VI)
Which statement about dense and lean reinforcement schedules is true?
Dense schedules are more difficult to obtain reinforcement from.
How do different schedules of reinforcement affect behavior over time?
They can affect the development of certain behaviors.
What is the equation for Fixed Interval=FI 30-sec?
$f(t) = \frac{1}{30}t$
How do time-contingent schedules differ from fixed schedules in terms of rapidity of responses?
Fixed schedules produce postreinforcement pauses due to distant reinforcers.
Study Notes
Schedules of Reinforcement in Operant Conditioning
- Fixed Ratio (FR) schedules require a specific number of responses for reinforcement, such as 50 lever presses.
- An FR schedule results in a high rate of response with a short postreinforcement pause, which increases with higher ratio requirements.
- Variable Ratio (VR) schedules provide reinforcement after a varying number of responses, leading to a steady rate of response with no postreinforcement pause.
- Fixed Interval (FI) schedules reinforce the first response after a fixed period of time, producing a scalloped pattern of responding with a postreinforcement pause.
- Variable Interval (VI) schedules reinforce the first response after a varying period of time, resulting in a moderate, steady rate of response with little or no postreinforcement pause.
- Reinforcement schedules can be dense or lean, with dense schedules easily obtaining reinforcers and lean schedules being more difficult to obtain reinforcement from.
- Different schedules of reinforcement can affect behavior, such as the development of an abusive relationship, with dense reinforcement becoming more intermittent over time.
- The rapidity of responses has little effect on time-contingent schedules, while fixed schedules produce postreinforcement pauses due to distant reinforcers.
- Examples of schedules include FR 200, VR 5, FI 30-sec, and VI 30-sec, each with specific characteristics and patterns of response.
- Examples of real-life scenarios involving reinforcement schedules include a mother's repeated requests to her child and waiting for a bus at specific intervals.
- The behavior of individuals in response to reinforcement schedules can vary, with different patterns of response over time.
- Understanding the different schedules of reinforcement is essential in operant conditioning and can help in analyzing and modifying behavior in various contexts.
Test your knowledge about the Premack principle and its application in behavior modification. Explore the challenges in measuring behavior probabilities and learn about the potential errors in determining free-choice preference rates.
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