5.03 - Main Effects vs. Side Effects of Schedules

Main Effects of Schedules

• Main effect (also called direct effect) refers to the actual contingency specified by a reinforcement schedule.
  • Example: Continuous reinforcement is a simple schedule where every response is reinforced.
  • Main effect definition: One response produces a reinforcer (i.e., behavior must occur to obtain reinforcement).

Side Effects of Schedules

• Side effects differ from main effects as they are not necessary for reinforcement but still occur predictably.
• Example: Extinction is a schedule in which no reinforcer is delivered.
  • Main effect of extinction: Behavior frequency decreases over time.
  • Side effect of extinction: The extinction burst, which is an increase in behavior before it decreases, occurring even though it is not necessary for reinforcement.

Characteristics of Behavioral Patterns

• Every schedule will exhibit:
  • A significant main effect, indicating the response-reinforcer relationship.
  • A side effect, representing behaviors that occur despite not being essential for obtaining the reinforcer.

Key Differences Between Main Effects and Side Effects

• Main Effects:

  • Directly related to the reinforcement schedule.
  • Necessary for reinforcement to be produced (e.g., response -> reinforcer).

• Side Effects:

  • Characteristics of behavior that are not essential for reinforcement.
  • Can be predicted but do not influence the reinforcement relationship directly (e.g., behaviors that happen during extinction may include the extinction burst).