Schedules of Reinforcement

Schedules of reinforcement

refer to variations in the arrangement of reinforcement contingencies

Schedules of effects

The distinctive effects on behavior produced by the different schedules of reinforcement 

• impacts the learning process via:

  • Acquisition of new behavior, rate of behavior, pattern of behavior 

Continuous reinforcement CRF schedules

reinforcement follows the behavior every time it occurs

ex. you talk, someone responds 

common for basic behavior 

Intermittent schedules 

Reinforcement occurs on some occasions, but not others 

ex. job promotion doesn’t happen when you do something good once, you gotta keep doing it to get a promotion 

Very common in the real world for complex behaviors 

fixed

rate stays the same

variable

rate changes but maintains a specific average

progressive

rate of reinforcement becomes sparser

ratio

delivery of reinforcer after a set number of responses 

interval

refers to the delivery of a reinforcer following the first response that occurs and then reinforced again after some time

duration

refers to the delivery of a reinforcer following the a sustained behavior for the entire time

progressive ratio

The number of responses required for a reward gradually increases.

ex: a video game might start by reinforcing easy levels but then levels become harder and harder

progressive interval

The time interval that must pass before a reward gradually increases.

ex: initially length of lessons in primary school are very short but become longer as you get older 

thinning the schedule

the schedule thins as the individual progresses, meaning they have to work harder to earn reinforcement 

breaking point

the point at which the individual stops responding because the requirement for the reinforcement becomes

Fixed duration schedule (FD)

schedules deliver a reinforcer after a behavior has been continuously performed for a set amount of time

ex: a child must play piano for 15 minutes to get a sticker 

variable duration (VD)

schedules deliver a reinforcer after a behavior has been continuously performed for an average amount of time

ex: waiting for a series of a show or a book 

non-contingent schedule

refer to schedules where reinforcers are delivered independently of behavior