Reinforcement Principles - Eppp Knowledge

1. What is the partial reinforcement extinction effect (PREE)?

   Intermittently reinforced behavior is more resistant to extinction. Behaviors maintained by partial schedules persist longer during extinction due to learned tolerance for non-reinforcement.

2. What is an $S^D$ (discriminative stimulus) in operant conditioning?

   A stimulus signaling reinforcement is available for a response. It signals availability of reinforcement, evoking the conditioned response through differential reinforcement history.

3. What is positive reinforcement, defined by its effect on future behavior?

   Adding a stimulus that increases behavior frequency. It strengthens behavior by presenting an appetitive stimulus contingent on the response, increasing the likelihood of future occurrences.

4. What is an $S^{}$ (delta stimulus) in operant conditioning?

   A stimulus signaling reinforcement is not available for a response. It indicates unavailability of reinforcement, suppressing the response through extinction in its presence.

5. Identify the schedule: Reinforcement occurs after a fixed number of responses (e.g., every 10).

   Fixed ratio (FR). It generates high response rates with a characteristic pause after reinforcement, as seen in piecework payment systems.

6. Identify the schedule: Reinforcement occurs after a varying number of responses around an average.

   Variable ratio (VR). It produces persistent responding due to the unpredictability, mimicking gambling behaviors with resistance to extinction.

7. Which schedule typically produces a postreinforcement pause followed by a high response run?

   Fixed ratio (FR). The pattern reflects a brief pause after reinforcement, followed by rapid responding to reach the fixed ratio.

8. Identify the schedule: The first response after a fixed time interval is reinforced.

   Fixed interval (FI). It results in low responding early in the interval, accelerating as the time for reinforcement approaches.

9. Identify the process: A response reinforced in the presence of $S^D$ but not $S^{}$ becomes more stimulus-specific.

   Discrimination training. Differential reinforcement sharpens stimulus control, making behavior more likely under $S^D$ conditions only.

10. Which schedule generally produces greater resistance to extinction: continuous or intermittent reinforcement?

    Intermittent reinforcement. Partial reinforcement creates uncertainty, leading to greater persistence when reinforcement is withdrawn compared to continuous schedules.

11. Which schedule typically produces a scalloped response pattern as the interval elapses?

    Fixed interval (FI). Responding increases toward the end of the fixed interval, creating a curved cumulative record.

12. What is an extinction burst during extinction procedures?

    A temporary increase in response rate/intensity after reinforcement stops. This initial surge occurs as the organism tests if the behavior still produces reinforcement.

13. What is positive punishment, defined by its effect on future behavior?

    Adding a stimulus that decreases behavior frequency. It weakens behavior by presenting an aversive stimulus contingent on the response, decreasing the likelihood of future occurrences.

14. What is stimulus control in operant conditioning?

    Behavior occurs more in the presence of an $S^D$ than other stimuli. The discriminative stimulus ($S^D$) cues that reinforcement is available, guiding when the behavior is likely to be rewarded.

15. Identify the schedule: The first response after a variable time interval is reinforced.

    Variable interval (VI). It yields steady, moderate responding due to the unpredictability of the reinforcement timing.

16. What is negative reinforcement, defined by its effect on future behavior?

    Removing a stimulus that increases behavior frequency. It strengthens behavior by eliminating an aversive stimulus contingent on the response, increasing the likelihood of future occurrences.

17. What is extinction in operant conditioning?

    Withholding reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior. This process leads to a gradual decrease in the target behavior as it no longer produces the reinforcing consequence.

18. Which schedule typically produces a moderate, steady response rate with minimal pauses?

    Variable interval (VI). Variable timing encourages consistent checking behavior without predictable pauses.

19. Identify the process: Behavior occurs in the presence of stimuli similar to the $S^D$ without direct training.

    Stimulus generalization. Similar stimuli evoke the response due to shared features with the original $S^D$, without specific training.

20. Identify the schedule: Reinforcement follows every instance of the target response.

    Continuous reinforcement (CRF). This schedule builds strong associations quickly but leads to rapid extinction when reinforcement ceases.

21. Which option best fits this scenario: Slot machine payouts are unpredictable after varying numbers of plays.

    Variable ratio (VR) schedule. Unpredictable reinforcement after varying responses maintains high engagement, as in gambling machines.

22. What is spontaneous recovery after extinction?

    Reappearance of an extinguished response after a time delay. It demonstrates that extinction is not complete erasure but suppression, with responses potentially returning without relearning.

23. Which schedule typically produces the highest, steadiest response rate and greatest persistence?

    Variable ratio (VR). Unpredictable reinforcement on average maintains high engagement and delays extinction more than other schedules.

24. What is negative punishment, defined by its effect on future behavior?

    Removing a stimulus that decreases behavior frequency. It weakens behavior by eliminating an appetitive stimulus contingent on the response, decreasing the likelihood of future occurrences.

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