Csds 117 Exam 2 continuous/intermittent schedules of reinforcement, stimulus discrimination/generalization

A schedule of reinforcement is the relationship between

number of correct responses + amount of reinforcement, or responses + time duration between delivery of reinforcers

Continuous Schedule of Reinforcement

Every correct response results in reinforcer being provided; used in initial treatment stages/AKA FR 1 schedule

Strengths of a continuous schedule of reinforcement

Can generate a high response rate

Limitations of a continuous schedule of reinforcement

Behaviors may not be sustained in absence of treatment

Types of intermittent schedules of reinforcement

Ratio and Interval

Ratio

Fixed and Variable (Depends on number of responses)

Interval

Fixed and Variable (Depends on time intervals)

Fixed ratio

A reinforcer is delivered after a specified number of correct responses, FR, Followed by number of responses required before reinforcer is delivered

Characteristics of FR Schedules

Response rate is high between reinforcers/A post-reinforcement pause is observed following reinforcement/size of ratio influences the post-reinforcement pause

Variable Ratio

A reinforcer is delivered after an average number of correct responses, VR, Followed by average number of responses required before reinforcer is delivered

Characteristics of VR Schedules

High, steady rates of responding/No post-reinforcement pause

Fixed Interval

An opportunity to earn a reinforcer is made available after a fixed amount of time, FI, Followed by amount of time required before reinforcer is delivered

Characteristics of FI Schedules

Slow to moderate rates of responding, A post-reinforcement pause is observed following reinforcement

Variable Interval

time interval between reinforced responses varies around an average, VI, Followed by average amount of time required before reinforcer is delivered

Characteristics of VI Schedules

Slow, steady rate of responding, No post reinforcement pause

Discrimination

A common behavioral process in which different responses are given to different stimuli/Different behaviors are emitted under different antecedent stimuli

Discrimination occurs when

clients learn to respond to discriminative stimuli (SD) and stimulus deltas (SΔ), Discrimination often goal of certain treatments

Generalization

tendency for the effects of training to spread

If a behavior has generalized

it is occurring in multiple settings, with multiple people, in multiple ways etc/ typically a goal of treatment/Beware of overgeneralization