PSY 2012 Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Reinforcement, Applied Behavior Analysis, Mindset
Document Summary
Fixed-ratio schedule: a schedule by which reinforcement is given only after a specific number of responses are made: typical outcome: short pauses occur after each response. Because the more responses, the more reinforcement, fixed-ratio schedules produce a high rate of responding. Variable-ratio schedule: a schedule by which reinforcement occurs after a varying number of responses rather than after a fixed number: typical outcome: responding occurs at a high rate. Variable-interval schedule: a schedule by which the time between reinforcements varies around some average rather than being fixed: typical outcome: produces a fairly steady stream of responses. Reinforcement increases probability of behavior: positive reinforcement, presentation (adding) of something pleasant, negative reinforcement, removal (taking away) of something unpleasant, primary reinforcer. Innately satisfying: secondary reinforcer, acquires positive value through experience. Stimulus generalization: occurs when a conditioned response follows a stimulus that is similar to the original conditioned stimulus, the more similar the two stimuluses are, the more likely generalization is to occur.
