REINFORCEMENT SCHEDULE Meaning and
Definition
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A reinforcement schedule, in the context of psychology and behavioral science, refers to a systematic pattern or plan governing the delivery of reinforcement following a specific behavior. It outlines how and when an individual will be rewarded or punished for their actions, and plays a crucial role in shaping and modifying behavior. Reinforcement schedules are designed to increase the likelihood of desired behaviors being repeated, maintained, or strengthened.
There are various types of reinforcement schedules, each with its unique characteristics and effects on behavior. Continuous reinforcement schedule involves providing reinforcement after every occurrence of the desired behavior, which is effective for establishing new behaviors. Partial or intermittent reinforcement schedules involve reinforcing the behavior only some of the time, either based on a fixed pattern or a variable pattern.
Fixed ratio schedules provide reinforcement after a fixed number of responses, such as giving a reward after every five correct answers. Variable ratio schedules, on the other hand, provide reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses, like winning in a lottery. Fixed interval schedules provide reinforcement after a fixed period of time, for example, receiving a paycheck every two weeks. Lastly, variable interval schedules provide reinforcement after a varying interval of time.
Reinforcement schedules play a fundamental role in behaviorism, operant conditioning, and behavior modification techniques. Understanding these schedules allows psychologists and practitioners to effectively manage and modify behavior, both in individual and group settings.
Common Misspellings for REINFORCEMENT SCHEDULE
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- rwinforcement schedule
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- reimforcement schedule
Etymology of REINFORCEMENT SCHEDULE
The word "reinforcement" has its origin in the Old French word "reforcier", meaning "to strengthen". It further stems from the Latin word "re-", a prefix indicating "again", and "fortis", meaning "strong". The term "schedule" originates from the Late Latin word "scedula", a diminutive form of "scheda", meaning "strip of papyrus" or "leaf of paper". Over time, the word "schedule" came to denote a written timetable or plan. Hence, the etymology of "reinforcement schedule" indicates the arrangement or plan for strengthening or increasing the likelihood of a behavior being repeated through rewards or incentives.
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