5.15
Reinforcement Schedules
Continuous reinforcement, like giving a dog a treat every time it sits in a place, reinforces the sitting behavior.
Conversely, partial reinforcement rewards intermittently, maintaining behaviors longer and preventing quick extinction once a behavior is established.
Partial reinforcement includes four types.
Fixed interval schedules reward behavior after a set time. For instance, employees receive a paycheck every two weeks.
Conversely, variable interval schedules reward behavior at varying and unpredictable times. For example, employees receiving surprise bonuses for cleanliness stay motivated to maintain cleanliness consistently.
Fixed ratio schedules reward behavior after a set number of responses, like a commission given to a salesperson after every five sales.
In contrast, variable ratio schedules reward behavior after varying responses, creating high and steady effort. For example, video game players receive random rewards, keeping players engaged and playing longer.
Variable ratio schedules are the most effective, as their unpredictability keeps individuals motivated due to irregular rewards.
Positive reinforcement is a powerful method for teaching new behaviors to both animals and humans. B.F. Skinner demonstrated this with his experiments using rats in a Skinner box. When a rat pressed a lever, it received a food pellet. This immediate reward encouraged the rat to repeat the behavior. This method, where a reward follows every instance of the behavior, is known as continuous reinforcement. It is highly effective for establishing new behaviors quickly.
Once a behavior is learned, trainers often switch to partial reinforcement, where rewards are given intermittently rather than every time. Partial reinforcement can be classified into four types: fixed interval, variable interval, fixed ratio, and variable ratio.
- Fixed Interval (FI) Schedule: Rewards are provided after a set amount of time. For example, an employee receives a performance review and potential raise every six months, increasing productivity as the review date nears. Behavior tends to increase as the time for the next reward approaches and may decrease just after receiving the reward.
- Variable Interval (VI) Schedule: Rewards are given after varying amounts of time, making it unpredictable. This schedule encourages consistent behavior because the reward can come at any time. For instance, employees might receive surprise bonuses for keeping a restaurant clean.
- Fixed Ratio (FR) Schedule: Rewards are given after a set number of responses. This schedule motivates high rates of response. However, there may be a brief pause in behavior directly after receiving the reward. For example, a salesperson earns a commission for every five glasses sold, prompting them to sell more glasses to earn more commissions.
- Variable Ratio (VR) Schedule: The number of responses required for a reward varies, creating a high and steady rate of response. This schedule is most effective and resistant to extinction. Gambling is a prime example, where the uncertainty of winning keeps players engaged.
Understanding these reinforcement schedules helps in effectively shaping and maintaining desired behaviors in both educational and training settings.
Continuous reinforcement, like giving a dog a treat every time it sits in a place, reinforces the sitting behavior.
Conversely, partial reinforcement rewards intermittently, maintaining behaviors longer and preventing quick extinction once a behavior is established.
Partial reinforcement includes four types.
Fixed interval schedules reward behavior after a set time. For instance, employees receive a paycheck every two weeks.
Conversely, variable interval schedules reward behavior at varying and unpredictable times. For example, employees receiving surprise bonuses for cleanliness stay motivated to maintain cleanliness consistently.
Fixed ratio schedules reward behavior after a set number of responses, like a commission given to a salesperson after every five sales.
In contrast, variable ratio schedules reward behavior after varying responses, creating high and steady effort. For example, video game players receive random rewards, keeping players engaged and playing longer.
Variable ratio schedules are the most effective, as their unpredictability keeps individuals motivated due to irregular rewards.
- Schedules of Positive Reinforcement - Methods of presenting rewards that encourage a behavior's repetition.
- Continuous Reinforcement - A reward is given following every instance of a behavior.
- Partial Reinforcement - Rewards are given intermittently, which are categorized as Fixed Interval, Variable Interval, Fixed Ratio, or Variable Ratio.
- Fixed Interval (FI) Schedule - Rewards are given after a specific amount of time.
- Variable Interval (VI) Schedule - Rewards are presented after varied time periods, keeping the schedule unpredictable.
- Fixed Ratio (FR) Schedule - Rewards are offered after a fixed number of responses (e.g., FR Schedule).
- Variable Ratio (VR) Schedule - Reward ratio varies, promoting high and consistent response rates (e.g., VR Schedule).
- Continuous Reinforcement - Identify and explain what continuous reinforcement is and how it works (e.g., continuous reinforcement).
- Partial Reinforcement - Explore the types and effectiveness of partial reinforcement strategies.
- Schedule of Reinforcement - Apply knowledge of reinforcement schedules in training or educational context.
- What are the key differences between continuous and partial reinforcement?
- Providing an example, can you explain how a Variable Interval (VI) Schedule works?
- How does a Fixed Ratio (FR) Schedule contribute to the maintenance of learned behaviors?
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5.15 : Reinforcement Schedules
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