Schedules of Reinforcement and Choice Behavior

A complex reinforcement procedure in which the participant is permitted to choose during the first link which of several simple reinforcement schedules will be in effect in the second link. Once a choice has been made, the rejected alernatives become unavailable until the start of the next trial.

A complex reinforcement procedure in which the participant can choose any one of two or more simple reinforcement schedules that are available simultaneously. Concurrent schedules allow for the measurement of direct choice between simple schedule alternatives.

A schedule of reinforcement in which every occurrence of the instrumental response produces the reinforcer.

A graphical representation of how a response is repeated over time, with the passage of time represented by the horizontal distance (or x-axis), and the total or cumulative number of responses that have occurred up to a particular point in time represented by the vertical distance (or y-axis).

The gradually increasing rate of responding that occurs between successive reinforcements on a fixed-interval schedule.

A reinforcement schedule in which the reinforcer is delivered for the first response that occurs after a fixed amount of time following the last reinforcer or the beginning of the trial.

A reinforcement schedule in which a fixed number of responses must occur in order for the next response to be reinforced.

A schedule of reinforcement in which only some of the occurrences of the instrumental response are reinforced. The instumental response is reinforced occasionally, or intermittently. Also called partial reinforcement.

The interval between one response and the next. IRT's can be differentially reinforced in the same fashion as other aspects of behavior, such as response force or variability.

A reinforcement schedule in which a response is reinforced only if it occurs after a set amount of time following the last reinforcer or start of the trial.

A restriction on how long a reinforcer remains available. In oder for a response to be reinforced, it must occur before the end of the limited-hold period.

A rule for instrumental behavior, proposed by R.J. Herrnsetin, which states that the relative rate of responding on a particular response alternative equals the relative rate of reinforcement for that response alternative.

A mechanism for achieving matching by responding so as to improve the local rates of reinforcement for response alternatives.

A schedule of reinforcement in which only some of the occurrences of the instrumental response are reinforced. The instrumental response is reinforced occasionally, or intermittently. Same as intermittent reinforcement.

A pause in responding that typically occurs after the delivery of the reinforcer on fixed-ratio and fixed-interval schedules of reinforcement.