Lec-11-1.pptx Schedules of Reinforcement

organizational behavior

1. Schedules of Reinforcement Understanding How Rewards Shape Behavior Presented by: Azam Mehmood

2. Introduction to Operant Conditioning Operant conditioning, also referred to as instrumental conditioning, is a type of learning process where behaviors are modified by their consequences. Essentially a learning method based on rewards and punishments. Key Concepts: Behavior: Any action an organism performs. In operant conditioning, we are interested in influencing specific behaviors. Consequences: These are the events that follow a behavior. They can be either positive (reinforcement) or negative (punishment).

3. B.F. Skinner and the Skinner Box Introduction to B.F. Skinner: Renowned psychologist known for his research on operant conditioning. His experiments laid the foundation for understanding behavior modification. The Skinner Box Experiment: Setup: Animals, such as rats or pigeons, were placed in a controlled environment called the Skinner box. Procedure: Animals performed specific behaviors (e.g., pressing a lever) to receive rewards (e.g., food pellets). Observation: By manipulating the consequences, Skinner observed changes in the animals' behaviors.

4. What are Schedules of Reinforcement? Schedules of reinforcement are rules that dictate how often a desired behavior is rewarded. They play a critical role in determining how quickly a behavior is learned and how persistent it becomes. Types of Schedules: Continuous schedule Partial (intermittent) schedule

5. Continues Schedule of Reinforcement Every single time the desired behavior is performed, it gets reinforced. Usefulness: Effective for initially teaching a behavior. Example: Dog Training: Every time the dog lifts its paw, it gets a treat. Child Homework: A child receives a gold star sticker every time they complete their homework. Downside: While effective for initial learning, continuous reinforcement can lead to a decrease in behavior once the reward stops. The child might stop doing homework as diligently if the gold star stickers disappear.

6. Partial Schedule of Reinforcement The behavior is only reinforced some of the time. These are more common in real life and offer a longer-lasting impact on behavior. Advantages: Reinforcement happens some of the time, making the desired behavior more resistant to extinction (stopping reinforcement altogether).

7. Four Types of Partial Schedule of Reinforcement

8. Fixed Ratio (FR) Schedule Definition: A set number of responses are required before reinforcement is delivered. Characteristics: Produces a high, steady rate of responding with a brief pause after the reinforcement is provided. Real-life Example: Sales Commission: A salesperson earns a bonus after selling a specific number of products (e.g., 10). This motivates them to keep selling to reach the target and get the reward. Effectiveness: Encourages high levels of response until the reward is earned.

9. Variable Ratio (VR) Schedule An unpredictable number of responses are needed for reinforcement. Characteristics: Produces a high, steady rate of responding without any pauses. Real-life Example: Fishing: You might catch a fish after one cast or ten, keeping you engaged and coming back for more. Slot Machines: Players never know how many pulls it will take to win, but the possibility of a big reward keeps them playing. Effectiveness: Highly effective in maintaining the desired behavior over time.

10. Fixed Interval (FI) Schedule Reinforcement is delivered only after a set amount of time has passed, regardless of behavior. Characteristics: Produces a scallop-shaped response pattern, where responses increase as the reinforcement time draws near. Real-life Example: Paychecks: Receiving a paycheck every two weeks, regardless of daily work. Student Behavior: Increased effort closer to exam dates or deadlines. Effectiveness: Can lead to increased effort just before the reinforcement is available.

11. Variable Interval (VI) Schedule Reinforcement is delivered after an unpredictable amount of time has passed. Characteristics: Produces a moderate, steady rate of response. Real-life Example: Pop Quizzes: Students don't know when the quiz will happen, so they are encouraged to study consistently. Homework Checks: Teachers use VI schedules to check homework at random intervals. Effectiveness: Encourages consistent, steady behavior over time.

12. Choosing the Right Schedule Continuous Reinforcement: Best for fast learning of simple behaviors. Partial Schedules: VR and VI Schedules: Best for long-term behavior maintenance and resistance to extinction. FI Schedule: Good when consistent effort is desired but immediate results are not crucial. FR Schedule: Effective for tasks requiring high rates of response.

13. Conclusion Summary: Schedules of reinforcement are crucial in operant conditioning to shape and maintain desired behaviors. Understanding the different schedules helps in selecting the right approach for various learning and behavior modification scenarios. Final Thought: The right reinforcement schedule can significantly impact the effectiveness of behavior modification strategies.