Schedules of Reinforcement

Schedule Thinning

Changing a contingency of reinforcement by gradually increasing the response ratio or the extent of the time interval; it results in a lower rate of reinforcement per responses, time, or both.

Multiple Schedule (mult)

Two or more ALTERNATING schedules, each with a different stimulus (Sd). e.g. Schedule available with one-one tutor and then in group instruction. only ONE schedule AVAILABLE at a time (unlike concurrent).

Adjunctive Behavior

Patterns of behavior that emerges as a by-product of an intermittent schedule of reinforcement for some other behavior (e.g. doodling, idle talking, smoking, drinking). Induced by schedules of reinforcement during times when reinforcement is unlikely to be delivered. Also called schedule-induced behavior. Adjunctive Behaviors (nail biting, self injurious behavior, etc.) appear to be resistant to interventions using operant contingencies.

Progressive Schedules of Reinforcement

Reinforcement is thinned independent of the performance of the learner at a predetermined rate.

Differential Reinforcement

Reinforcing only those responses within a response class that meet a specific criterion along some dimensions(s) (i.e., frequency, topography, duration, latency, or magnitude) and placing all other responses in the class on extinction.

Postreinforcement Pause

The absence of responding for a period of time following reinforcement; an effect commonly produced by fixed interval (FI) and fixed ratio (FR) schedules of reinforcement.

Compound Schedules of Reinforcement

Combines schedules of reinforcement (CRF, FR, VR, FI, VI, DRH, DRL), with / without Sds for individual or combination of elements to form the following schedules: • Concurrent • Conjoint • Alternative • Multiple • Mixed • Chained • Tandem • Progressive • Conjunctive

Schedules of Reinforcement

Includes: continious reinforcement (CRF), intermittent schedules of reinforcement (FR, VR, FI, VI), differential reinforcement of low-rate behavior (DRL), differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO), differential reinforcement of high rate behavior (DRH), differential reinforcement of paced responding (DRP)

Progressive Ratio (PR)

Ratio Schedule in which the ratio size gradually increases over time. This schedule is sometimes used to assess reinforcer effectiveness. To do so, the "break point" is identified - when the organism stops responding.

Rate of Response

The favored dependent variable of researchers working in the Skinnerian tradition; refers to how frequently a behavior occurs per unit of time. Rate of response for FI is slow-moderate> The larger the duration of FI, the longer the postreinforcement pause and the lower the overall rate of response.

Ratio Strain

A behavioral effect associated with abrupt increases in ratio requirements when moving from denser to thinner reinforcement schedules; common effects include avoidance, aggression, and unpredictable pauses or cessation in responding. Ratio Strain can also occur when ratios becomes too large or when response requirements exceed the participant's physiological capabilities.

Differential Reinforcement of High Rates (DRH)

A particular reinforcement schedule in which reinforcement is delivered for rates of responding ABOVE a specified predetermined criterion (based on the individual's performance in previous intervals). (e.g., more than three responses per 5 minutes).

Intermittent Schedule (INT)

A schedule in which consequences are delivered after a specified or average time has elapsed or after a specified or average number of behaviors has occurred.

Continuous Reinforcement (CRF)

A schedule of reinforcement that provides reinforcement for each occurrence of the target behavior (answer phone ring & voice is heard) .

Variable Ratio (VR)

An operant conditioning principle in which the delivery of reinforcement is based on a particular average number of responses. (e.g., on a VR 10 schedule an average of 10 responses must be emitted for reinforcement, but the number of responses required following the last reinforced response might range from 1 to 30 or more). VR schedules do not produce a "Postreinforcement Pause". They create high & constant rate of responding. Behavior becomes most resistant to extinction.

Extinction (EXT)

Occurs in operant conditioning when a response is no longer reinforced. Occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus (US) does not follow a conditioned stimulus (CS)

Chained Schedule

The completion of one contingency is immediately followed by the next in a predetermined chain. Conditioned reinforcement for the first behavior in the chain is the SD for the next behavior in the chain and so on until the last response produces the terminal reinforcement e.g., fixing a flat tire (pg 319)

Fixed Interval Scallop

A fixed-interval schedule often produces a scallop: A gradual increase in the rate of responding, with responding occurring at a high rate, just before reinforcement is available. No responding occurs for some time after reinforcement.

Tandem Schedule (tand)

A schedule of reinforcement identical to the chained schedule except, like the mix schedule the tandem schedule does not use discriminative stimuli with the elements in the chain. (eg., tand FR15, FI2 reinforcement is provided after 15 responses + 2 minutes +first following response). (Presently, mixed & tand scheduled have little applied applications).

Fixed Interval (FI)

A schedule of reinforcement in which reinforcement is delivered for the first response emitted following the passage of a fixed duration of time since the last response was reinforced (e.g., on an FI 3-minute schedule, the first response following the passage of 3 minutes is reinforced).

Differential Reinforcement of Diminishing Rates (DRD)

A schedule of reinforcement in which reinforcement is provided at the end of the predetermined interval contingent on the number or reponses emitted during the interval being fewer than a gradually decreasing criterion based on the individual's performance in previous intervals.(e.g. girls talking in class; fewer than 5 occurrances in 5 minutes .. , then 4 in 4 ... ). DRD is a procedual variation of DRL (provides ABA with new and improved label for internal DRL procedures).

Variable Interval (VI)

A schedule of reinforcement providing reinforcement for the first correct response following the elapse of variable duration of time occurring in a random or unpredictable order. VI produce a low - moderate, steady response rates (pop quizz at unpredictable times). The larger the average interval, the lower the overall rate of response.

Alternative Schedule (alt)

Provides reinforcement whenever the requirement of either a ratio schedule or an interval schedule is met regardless of which of the component schedule's requirements is met first (students get a chance of being reinforced upon completion of either schedule.

Mixed Schedule (mix)

A schedule that is the same as a multiple schedule (a behavior is under the influence of two or more simple schedules) except that there are no stimuli (SD) to clearly indicate that the schedule has changed mix has no discriminative stimuli associated with the independent schedules. (Presently, mixed & tand scheduled have little applied applications).

Limited Hold

A situation in which reinforcement is available only during a finite time following the elapse of a fixed interval (FI) or variable interval (VI): if the target response does not occur within the time limit, reinforcement is withheld and a new interval begins (e.g. on an fixed interval (FI) 5-minute schedule with a limited hold of 30 seconds, the first correct response following the elapse of 5 minutes is reinforced only if that response occurs within 30 seconds after the end of the 5-minute interval).

Schedules of Reinforcement

Continuous Reinforcement (CRF), Intemitent Reinforcement (INT) Extinction (EXT) Variable-Ratio (VR), Variable-Interval (VI), Fixed-Ratio (FR), Fixed-Interval (FI), Differential Reinforcement of low-rate Behavior (DRL), Differential Reinforcement of other Behavior (DRO), Differential Reinforcementof high rate Behavior (DRH), Differential Reinforcement of paced Responding (DRP). * the rate of acquisition of a behavior is fastest when the behavior is reinforced on a continuous schedule. * the best way to maintain the behavior is to switch to an intermittent (partial) schedule.

Interresponse Time (IRT)

Defined as the elapsed time between two successive responses (a measure of temporal locus). Long IRT produce low rates of response, while high IRT produce high rates of response. Examples: 1. DRH schedule produces reinforcement when response occurrs before a time criterion of 30 sec. Thus, response gets reinforced when IRT is 30 sec. or less. 2. DRL produces reinforcement when occurring after a set time critterion (45 Sec.) Thus, a response produces reinforcement when IRT is at least 45 sec.

Conjunctive Schedule

Reinforcement follows the completion of response requirements for both a ratio and interval schedule of reinforcement. (see summary table p. 321).

Fixed Ratio (FR)

Reinforcement occurs at fixed response intervals: (FR 5 = giving reinforcement after every fifth response). Skinner called them response units (all 5 combined).

Concurrent Schedule

Reinforcement procedure in which the participant can choose one of two or more simple reinforcement schedules that are available simultaneously. Concurrent schedules allow for the measurement of direct choice between simple schedule alternatives. e.g., doing homework or playing piano.

Differential Reinforcement of Low Rates (DRL)

Reinforcements of low rates of responding (child might go to the water fountain 10 times in an hour). The DRL provides for the reinforcement delivery when the number of responses in a specified period of time is less than, or equal to a predettemined set limit.