11 - scheds of rein

Schedule of reinforcement

Rule for when and how responses are reinforced

Schedules determine

How behavior is learned and maintained

Schedules based on

Response (ratio) or time (interval)

Continuous reinforcement (CRF)

Reinforce every response

CRF learning/extinction

Fast learning, fast extinction

Partial reinforcement (PRF)

Reinforce some responses

PRF effect

Slower learning, more resistant to extinction

Ratio schedules

Based on number of responses

Interval schedules

Based on time

Fixed ratio (FR)

Reinforcement after fixed number of responses

FR example

Piecework pay

FR pattern

High responding with post-reinforcement pause

Post-reinforcement pause

Break after reward before responding again

FR ratio effect

Larger ratio → longer pause

Variable ratio (VR)

Reinforcement after variable number of responses

VR example

Gambling, slot machines

VR pattern

High, steady responding with no pauses

VR extinction

Hardest to extinguish

Fixed interval (FI)

Reinforcement after fixed time

FI rule

First response after interval is reinforced

FI pattern

Scalloped responding (slow → fast)

FI example

Studying before exam

Variable interval (VI)

Reinforcement after variable time intervals

VI pattern

Slow, steady responding

VI example

Pop quizzes

FR & FI similarity

Post-reinforcement pauses

VR & VI similarity

Steady responding without pauses

Same reinforcement rate result

Different response patterns

Reynolds (1975)

Compared VR vs VI schedules

Yoked design

Same reinforcement rate across groups

VR vs VI result

VR produces higher response rate

VR reason

Higher response–reinforcer contingency

VI limitation

Reinforcement depends on time, not responding

Partial reinforcement extinction effect (PREE)

PRF leads to slower extinction than CRF

Discrimination hypothesis

PRF subjects don’t detect change in reinforcement as quickly

CRF extinction detection

Easier to detect reward removal

PRF extinction behavior

Continue responding despite no reward