learning and motivation chap 7

^^schedule of reinforcement:^^ response requirement that must be met to obtain reinforcement

^^continuous reinforcement schedule:^^ each specified response is reinforced

• very useful when a behavior is first being shaped or strengthened.

^^intermittent / partial reinforcement schedule:^^ only some responses are reinforced

• characterizes much of daily life
• fixed ratio: reinforcement is contingent upon a fixed, predictable number of responses
• FR1 is the same as a continuous
• produce a high rate of response along with a short pause following the attainment of each reinforcer
• short pause: post-reinforcement pause
• high ratio requirements produce longer post-reinforcement pauses
• schedules in which the reinforcer is easily obtained are said to be very dense / rich
• moving from a low ratio requirement to a high ratio requirement should be done gradually
  • stretching the ratio
  • if the requirement is increased too quickly, it can cause ratio strain (disruption in responding due to an overly demanding response requirement)
• variable ratio: reinforcement is contingent upon a varying, unpredictable number of responses
• produce a high and steady rate of response, often with little to no postreinforcement pause, especially when the minimum response requirement is very low
• help to account for the persistence with which some people display certain maladaptive behaviors
• gambling
• development of abusive relationship
• fixed interval: reinforcement is contingent on the first response after a fixed, predictable period of time
• scalloped pattern of responding: postreinforcement pause followed by a gradually increasing rate of response as the interval draws to a close
  • reinforcer will be attained as soon as it becomes available
• variable interval: reinforcement is contingent upon the first response after a varying, unpredictable amount of time
• usually produce a moderate, steady rate of response, often with little or no postreinforcement pause
• ^^characteristic response pattern:^^ stable pattern that emerges once the organism has had considerable exposure to the schedule
• aka steady-state behaviors
• ratio schedules produce higher rates of responses than interval schedules
• fixed schedules tend to produce postreinforcement pauses while variable schedules don't
• ^^duration schedules:^^ reinforcement is contingent on performing a behavior continuously throughout a period of time
• fixed duration schedule: behavior must be performed continuously for a fixed, predictable period of time
  • rat nust run in the wheel for 60 seconds to earn a pellet of food (fd-60sec)
• variable duration schedule: behavior must be performed continuously for a varying, unpredictable period of time
  • rat must run in the wheel for an average of 60 seconds (vd-60sec)
• response-rate schedule: reinforcement is directly contingent upon the organism’s rate of response
• differential reinforcement of high rates: reinforcement is contingent upon emitting at least a certain number of responses in a certain period of time
  • reinforcement is provided for responding at a fast rate
  • one type of response is reinforced while another is not
  • ex: swimming for sport. winning is contingent on a rapid series of response
• differential reinforcement of low rates: minimum amount of time must pass between each response before the reinforcer will be delivered
  • reinforcement is provided for responding at a slow rate
  • responses that occur during the interval have an adverse effect and prevent reinforcement from occurring
  • example: brushing teeth slowly
• differential reinforcement of paced responding: reinforcement is contingent upon emitting a series of responses at a set rate
  • reinforcement is provided for responding neither too fast nor too slow
  • ex: musical activities. relevant actions must be performed at a specific pace
• noncontingent schedules: reinforcer is delivered independently of any response
• response is not required for the reinforcer to be obtained
• response-independent schedules
• ==fixed-time schedule:== reinforcer is delivered following a fixed, predictable period of time, regardless of the organism’s behavior
• ==variable time schedule:== reinforcer is delivered following a varying, unpredictable period of time, regardless of the organism’s behavior
• may account for superstitious behavior
• ==adjunctive behaviors:== innate tendencies, like fidgeting, that are elicited during a period of waiting
• complex schedules: consist of a combination of two or more simple schedules
• conjunctive schedule: requirements of two or more simple schedules must be met before a reinforcer is delivered
• adjusting schedule: response requirement changes as a function of the organism’s performance while responding for the previous reinforcer
  • because it has performed so well, we expect better performance in the future
  • shaping also involves an adjusting schedule
  • requirement for reinforcement changes as soon as the rat has successfully met the previous requirement
• chained schedule: consists of a sequence of two or more simple schedules. must be completed in a particular order
  • goal gradient effect: increase in the strength / efficiency of responding as one approaches the goal
  • backward chaining: train the final link first and the initial link last

drive reduction theory: an event is reinforcing to the extent that it is associated with a reduction in some type of physiological drive

incentive motivation: motivation that is derived from some property of the reinforcer, as opposed to an internal drive state

premack principle: high-probability behavior can be used to reinforce a low-probability behavior (first work then play)

response deprivation hypothesis: behavior can serve as a reinforcer when access to the behavior is restricted and its frequency thereby falls below its preferred level of occurrence

behavioral bliss approach: organism with free access to alternate activities will distribute its behavior in such a way as to maximize overall reinforcement

\n