Reinforcement and Behaviour Modification
Key Terms: Schedules of Reinforcement:
Reinforcement schedule - a plan
of how often and when Continuous and Partial:
reinforcement will be provided. Continuous reinforcement leads to rapid change in
Behaviour modification - the use behaviour but the effects do not tend to last.
of operant conditioning This is why children paid regularly for household
techniques to change the tasks do not stick to them for long.
frequency of desired behaviours. Partial reinforcement is when it is irregular and has a
Shaping - a process of modifying schedule.
behaviour by reinforcing Fixed and Variable Ratio:
successive approximations to a Fixed ratio - a reinforcer is given after a specified about
desired behaviour. of behaviours e.g. paying a child every fifth time they
wash up.
Variable ratio - a reinforcer is given after an
unpredicted number of behaviours that vary around a
Modifying Behaviour: mean value.
A form of therapy in which Fixed and Variable Interval:
reinforcement is systematically Fixed interval - the time between reinforcers is kept
used to increase the number of constant.
instances of desired behaviour. Variable interval - the time between the reinforcers is
Can be used in sport psychology varied around a mean length of time. As with fixed
where reinforcement is used to intervals, only one behaviour per time period is needed
improve technique and reduce for reinforcement.
dangerous behaviour.
Cassie Ford (2017) assessed head
impact using helmet sensors on Fixed Ratio Schedule: Variable Ratio Schedule:
American football players.
Impact intensity dropped by Trick or treating - Gambling machine - pays
3.9%. receiving one treat per out on average every 50th
house go
Shaping:
Encourage complex behaviour. Variable Interval
Fixed Interval Schedule:
Reinforcing successive Schedule:
approximations of the behaviour.
Getting paid £8 per hour
When babies babble they are A fish bites on average
for every hour worked
reinforced with praise which is once every 15 mins
only continued if they make
words.
Key Terms: Schedules of Reinforcement:
Reinforcement schedule - a plan
of how often and when Continuous and Partial:
reinforcement will be provided. Continuous reinforcement leads to rapid change in
Behaviour modification - the use behaviour but the effects do not tend to last.
of operant conditioning This is why children paid regularly for household
techniques to change the tasks do not stick to them for long.
frequency of desired behaviours. Partial reinforcement is when it is irregular and has a
Shaping - a process of modifying schedule.
behaviour by reinforcing Fixed and Variable Ratio:
successive approximations to a Fixed ratio - a reinforcer is given after a specified about
desired behaviour. of behaviours e.g. paying a child every fifth time they
wash up.
Variable ratio - a reinforcer is given after an
unpredicted number of behaviours that vary around a
Modifying Behaviour: mean value.
A form of therapy in which Fixed and Variable Interval:
reinforcement is systematically Fixed interval - the time between reinforcers is kept
used to increase the number of constant.
instances of desired behaviour. Variable interval - the time between the reinforcers is
Can be used in sport psychology varied around a mean length of time. As with fixed
where reinforcement is used to intervals, only one behaviour per time period is needed
improve technique and reduce for reinforcement.
dangerous behaviour.
Cassie Ford (2017) assessed head
impact using helmet sensors on Fixed Ratio Schedule: Variable Ratio Schedule:
American football players.
Impact intensity dropped by Trick or treating - Gambling machine - pays
3.9%. receiving one treat per out on average every 50th
house go
Shaping:
Encourage complex behaviour. Variable Interval
Fixed Interval Schedule:
Reinforcing successive Schedule:
approximations of the behaviour.
Getting paid £8 per hour
When babies babble they are A fish bites on average
for every hour worked
reinforced with praise which is once every 15 mins
only continued if they make
words.
