Ch 7 Topic Intro and Ratio Schedules of reinforcement

Flashcards covering key concepts from chapter seven on reinforcement and its schedules.

Schedule of Reinforcement

A contingency for reinforcement that specifies what needs to happen in order for a reinforcer to be given.

Continuous Reinforcement (CRF)

A schedule of reinforcement where reinforcement is delivered every single time the target behavior occurs.

Fixed Ratio (FR)

A partial schedule of reinforcement where a reinforcer is delivered after a set number of responses.

Variable Ratio (VR)

A partial schedule of reinforcement where reinforcers are delivered after a random number of responses, averaging out to a specific number.

Post Reinforcement Pause

A characteristic of fixed ratio schedules where the organism pauses after receiving reinforcement before resuming responses.

Stretching the Ratio

The process of gradually increasing the requirements for reinforcement after the target behavior has been established.

Ratio Strain

The phenomenon where the organism stops emitting the behavior due to too large a jump in reinforcement requirements.

Intermittent Reinforcement

A reinforcement strategy that mimics real-life situations, where reinforcement is not provided after every occurrence of the behavior.

Gambling Addiction

An example of a behavior maintained by a variable ratio schedule, where the unpredictability of reinforcement encourages continued engagement.

Piecework Manufacturing

A type of fixed ratio schedule where workers are paid for every set number of items produced.