Learning, Language, and Thought: Lecture 1

PSYC 1301

Reinforcement Schedule

 

• Continuous reinforcement - reinforcement every time the response is made
• Fixed ratio schedule - reinforcement after a fixed number of responses
• Variable ratio schedule - reinforcement after a varying number of responses
• Fixed interval schedule - reinforcement of the first response after a fixed time has passed
• Variable interval schedule - reinforcement of the first response after varying amounts of time have passed

Despite their differences, classical and operant conditioning share many similarities. Both involve associations between stimuli and responses; both are subject to extinction and spontaneous recovery as well as generalization and discrimination. In fact, many psychologists now question whether classical and operant conditioning are not simply two ways of bringing about the same kind of learning. Biofeedback is an operant conditioning technique in which instruments are used to give learners information about the strength of a biological response over which they seek to gain control.

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