Learning - Department of Psychological Sciences

Ratio SchedulesFixed-ratio schedule: Reinforces a responseonly after a specified number of responses.e.g., piecework pay.Variable-ratio schedule: Reinforces aresponse after an unpredictable number ofresponses. This is hard to extinguish becauseof the unpredictability. (e.g., behaviors likegambling, fishing.)Interval Schedules Fixed-interval schedule: Reinforces aresponse only after a specified time haselapsed. (e.g., preparing for an examonly when the exam draws close.) Variable-interval schedule: Reinforces aresponse at unpredictable timeintervals, which produces slow, steadyresponses. (e.g., pop quiz.)4344Schedules of ReinforcementPunishmentAn aversive event that decreases the behavior itfollows.4546PunishmentExtending Skinner’s UnderstandingAlthough there may be some justification foroccasional punishment (Larzelaere & Baumrind,2002), it usually leads to negative effects.1. Results in unwanted fears.2. Conveys no information to the organism as to what to do.3. Justifies pain to others.4. Causes unwanted behaviors to reappear in its absence.5. Causes aggression towards the agent.6. Causes one unwanted behavior to appear in place ofanother.47Skinner believed in inner thought processes andbiological underpinnings, but manypsychologists criticize him for discountingthem.488