Reinforcement Principles and Schedules Flashcards

A child receives a token every 5 minutes regardless of behavior. This is an example of which schedule?

Answer: Fixed interval

Fixed interval schedules deliver reinforcement after a set amount of time has passed, regardless of response rate.

Which reinforcement schedule is most resistant to extinction?

Answer: Variable ratio

Variable ratio schedules produce the highest resistance to extinction because the unpredictability of reinforcement maintains responding.

Negative reinforcement differs from punishment in that negative reinforcement:

Answer: Removes an aversive stimulus to increase behavior

Negative reinforcement removes or reduces an aversive stimulus, which increases the likelihood the behavior will occur again.

A learner is praised every single time they raise their hand. Over time, if praise is suddenly stopped, responding will likely extinguish quickly. This is because:

Answer: Continuous reinforcement schedules produce low extinction resistance

Continuous reinforcement (CRF) schedules are the least resistant to extinction because each non-reinforced response is a clear signal that the contingency has changed.

In a variable interval (VI) schedule, reinforcement is delivered:

Answer: After an average amount of time has elapsed

Variable interval schedules reinforce the first response after an average (unpredictable) amount of time has passed.

Which of the following best describes a 'post-reinforcement pause'?

Answer: A brief stop in behavior immediately after receiving reinforcement

A post-reinforcement pause is a temporary decrease in responding immediately after reinforcement is delivered, most common with fixed schedules.

An RBT gives a student a sticker after every 10 correct math problems. This is which schedule of reinforcement?

Answer: Fixed ratio 10

Fixed ratio 10 (FR 10) means reinforcement is delivered after every 10 responses, with the ratio remaining constant.