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Actually that is not quite the most effective way to do it. You want to start out rewarding randomly, and keep rewarding randomly. Basically you want to set up
by chris11 18y ago
Actually that is not quite the most effective way to do it. You want to start out rewarding randomly, and keep rewarding randomly. Basically you want to set up a lottery where on average, every x times the person is rewarded once. But you should keep the chance of getting rewarded constant.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinforcement#Simple_schedules http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinforcement#Simple_schedules
This is also the most effective way to combat extinction. Near extinction, there is usually an extinction burst. And to keep the person or animal motivated, you want to up the rewards when they are about to quit. Just think of someone addicted to drugs or alcohol. When they are trying to quit, they get cravings, and can binge on the substance.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extinction_(psychology) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extinction_(psychology)
- RiderOfGiraffes 18y agoThank you - nice to see some of the technical details of this subject. My post was from memory, and I'm pleased it was as accurate as it was.
- eru 18y agoBut you may still profit from increasing x over time. Especially if your subject is learning how to perform what you want better and better. (Compare http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaping_(psychology) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaping_(psychology)) If you want to mess with your probands mind, at some point switch silently to a variable time schedule. ("Variable Time (VT) provides reinforcement at an average variable time since last reinforcement, regardless of whether the subject has responded or not." from the Wikipedia article) By the way, for example computer games usually combine several reinforcement techniques.