RBT Reinforcement Strategies 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A teacher uses a token economy in their classroom. Students earn tokens for completing work and exchange them for prizes. The tokens are:
- Primary reinforcers
- Generalized conditioned reinforcers (Correct answer)
- Unconditioned reinforcers
- Punishers
Correct answer: Generalized conditioned reinforcers
Tokens are generalized conditioned reinforcers because they have been paired with multiple backup reinforcers (the prizes students can exchange them for). Their value comes from the variety of items they can access.
Question 2: What is a continuous reinforcement schedule (CRF)?
- Reinforcing every other response
- Reinforcing every correct response (Correct answer)
- Reinforcing at random times
- Reinforcing once per day
Correct answer: Reinforcing every correct response
A continuous reinforcement (CRF) schedule delivers reinforcement after every single correct response. This schedule is most effective during the acquisition phase of learning, as it creates a strong association between the behavior and its consequence.
Question 3: What is an intermittent reinforcement schedule?
- Reinforcing every response
- Reinforcing some but not all correct responses (Correct answer)
- Never reinforcing any responses
- Reinforcing only incorrect responses
Correct answer: Reinforcing some but not all correct responses
An intermittent schedule reinforces some but not all instances of the target behavior. This type of schedule is used after a behavior is established to maintain the behavior and increase its resistance to extinction.
Question 4: Which reinforcement schedule produces the highest resistance to extinction?
- Continuous reinforcement (CRF)
- Fixed ratio (FR)
- Variable ratio (VR) (Correct answer)
- Fixed interval (FI)
Correct answer: Variable ratio (VR)
Variable ratio (VR) schedules produce the highest resistance to extinction because the unpredictability of reinforcement delivery keeps the learner responding at high rates. Slot machines are a classic example of VR schedules.
Question 5: What is a fixed ratio (FR) schedule?
- Reinforcement after a fixed amount of time
- Reinforcement after a fixed number of responses (Correct answer)
- Reinforcement at random intervals
- Reinforcement after every response
Correct answer: Reinforcement after a fixed number of responses
A fixed ratio schedule delivers reinforcement after a specific, set number of responses. For example, FR-5 means reinforcement is delivered after every 5th correct response. The ratio requirement is consistent and predictable.
Question 6: What is a variable ratio (VR) schedule?
- Reinforcement after a variable amount of time
- Reinforcement after an average number of responses, with the actual number varying (Correct answer)
- Reinforcement after exactly 5 responses
- Reinforcement after every response
Correct answer: Reinforcement after an average number of responses, with the actual number varying
A variable ratio schedule delivers reinforcement after an average number of responses, but the actual number required varies around that average. VR-5 might reinforce after 3, then 7, then 5 responses (averaging 5). This produces high, steady response rates.
RBT Reinforcement Strategies 2
A teacher uses a token economy in their classroom.
Students earn tokens for completing work and exchange them for prizes.
The tokens are: