Partial Reinforcement Schedules

Continuous reinforcement

• Applying reinforcement every time a behavior occurs

• Promotes the quickest response for learning new behaviors

• Can lead to behavioral dependency

• May cause extinction if reinforcements stop

Partial reinforcement

• Behavior is reinforced occasionally, not every time, but often enough to develop or maintain conditioned behavior

• Makes behaviors more resistant to extinction, even if reinforcement stops

• Reinforcement is based on schedules

2 types of reinforcement schedules

• Interval

• Ratio

Interval schedules

Time based

2 types of interval schedules

• Fixed interval

• Variable interval

Fixed interval

• Reinforcement is given after a set amount of time passes, once the behavior is completed

• Lab example: A pigeon gets birdseed 10 seconds after pressing the correct button

• Human application: Weekly paycheck cycles

• Effectiveness: Behavior increases as the time for the reward (Reinforcement) gets closer, but tends to drop off after the reward is given

• Similar to fixed ratio

Variable interval

• Unpredictable amounts of time pass between completion of the behavior and the reward of the reinforcement

• Lab example: A pigeon receives birdseed after 12 seconds for trial 1, 19 seconds for trial 2, and 7 seconds for trial 3

• Human application: Pop quizzes

• Effectiveness: Produces lower but more stable and consistent behavior over time

Ratio schedules

Amount based

Two types of ratio schedules

• Fixed ratio

• Variable ratio

Fixed ratio

• A reward is given after a set number of behaviors are completed

• Lab example: A pigeon receives birdseed after pressing the correct button 3 times

• Human application: Getting a prize after completing a certain number of chores, like do 5 chores, get a treat

• Effectiveness: High response rates as the goal is reached, followed by a drop off after the reward is received

Variable ratio

• The number of correct behaviors needed for a reward is unpredictable, but the average amount is set

• Lab example: A pigeon gets rewarded after an average of 10 button presses, but the actual number can vary

• Human application: Casino slot machines

• Effectiveness: Leads to high response rates and makes the behavior harder to stop, even when rewards stop