Reinforcement Schedules and Contingency Management Flashcards
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Which schedule of reinforcement produces the highest and most consistent response rates?
Answer: Variable ratio (VR)
Variable ratio schedules produce the highest and most consistent rates of responding because reinforcement is unpredictable, making the behavior highly resistant to extinction.
A student receives a sticker after every 5 correct math problems. This is an example of which reinforcement schedule?
Answer: Fixed ratio FR-5
A fixed ratio schedule delivers reinforcement after a set, predictable number of responses — in this case, every 5 correct problems regardless of time elapsed.
What response pattern is typically associated with fixed interval (FI) schedules?
Answer: Scalloped pattern with a post-reinforcement pause
Fixed interval schedules produce a scalloped pattern: a pause after reinforcement, then gradually increasing responding as the end of the interval approaches.
Positive reinforcement is correctly defined as:
Answer: Adding a preferred stimulus following a behavior to increase its future frequency
Positive reinforcement is the contingent presentation of a stimulus following a behavior that increases the future frequency of that behavior.
Negative reinforcement is best described as:
Answer: Contingent removal of an aversive stimulus that increases future responding
Negative reinforcement involves the contingent removal of an aversive stimulus following a behavior, which increases the future probability of that behavior.
A child throws a tantrum and the parent gives them a toy to stop the crying. From the child's perspective, this is an example of:
Answer: Positive reinforcement
From the child's perspective, the tantrum is followed by the addition of a preferred item (toy), which will increase the future likelihood of tantrums — this is positive reinforcement.
Which reinforcement schedule produces the MOST rapid extinction when reinforcement is discontinued?
Answer: Continuous reinforcement (CRF)
Continuous reinforcement produces the most rapid extinction because the organism quickly detects the change from 100% reinforcement to 0%, whereas intermittent schedules make extinction harder to detect.