The 22 types of reinforcement schedules in psychology

Throughout our lives we are continually learning. At home, at school, at work... and we are not only talking about learning derived from education itself, but also from direct experience. We learn to walk, to smile socially, to talk, to do or not to do certain actions, that water comes out of the tap if we open it or that if If we work hard, we can obtain benefit, either internal (satisfaction from the fact of doing it) or external (a salary, social approval, samples of keen…).

Although learning depends on a large number of variables, some of this learning is obtained through the association between a behavior and its consequences. For example, it is possible to increase the probability of a behavior if it has positive consequences. And in this sense, it is possible to create what is considered a reinforcement program, so that said behavior is much more likely and is incorporated into our repertoire.

What exactly is a reinforcement schedule? What types of reinforcement schedules are there? Let's see it throughout this article.

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Reinforcement schedules: what are they?

A schedule of reinforcement is nothing more than a regulated procedure through which it is possible to achieve learning and increase the probability of performing a certain behavior based on the association of carrying out said behavior with a consequence experienced as positive.

Said consequence, which is some type of stimulation that we find palatable (and that may or may not be a reward) physical), receives the name of reinforcer, by allowing its presence to promote and increase the performance of the behavior: the reinforces.

The consideration of the existence of this type of programs stems from one of the main and best-known branches of psychology, behavioral psychology, which focused on observable behavior as the object of study and that he intended the objective study and based on evidentiary evidence of what is considered the only directly observable correlate of the psyche: behavior.

Specifically part of Skinner's operant conditioning, which considered that the behavior is explained as a consequence of the association between the emission of a behavior and the perception of some consequences of such conduct, in such a way that if doing something causes us to have negative or aversive consequences, we will stop doing it or reduce the probability of repeating it. said action and if by issuing a behavior we obtain appetitive consequences, we will increase the probability of doing so in order to continue obtaining said action. gratification.

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More common than it seems

Although at first glance the term schedule of reinforcement may seem somewhat complex and strange, it It is true that on a day-to-day basis and unconsciously we usually find ourselves immersed in them in one way or another. other. In fact, even unconsciously, each and every one of us has been in some situation that we could consider to be part of a reinforcement program.

This is what happens, for example, when we teach a pet which is the place to urinate and defecate or when we give them prizes by teaching them a trick.

On a human level it is also easy to find: learning to walk, talk, use a toilet or even the simple fact of learning that by opening a water comes out of the tap can mean the application of reinforcement programs, although we are not dealing with a consciously elaborated program for it. Also when we reward the effort in academics or work we are carrying out a reinforcement, which if it occurs continuously can end up configuring a program of these characteristics.

Types of reinforcement programs according to their temporality

One of the main elements or criteria by which we can be guided to classify the different types of reinforcement program can be found in the degree of contingency between the performance of the behavior and the possible arrival of the reinforcer. In this sense we can find two types of basic programs.

1. Continuous reinforcement schedules

We consider a program to be continuously reinforcing whenever each and every utterance of the target behavior receives reinforcement. That is, in an experimental condition, each time the desired or studied behavior is carried out, this will result in the arrival of the reinforcer.

For example, we may find that every time we open the fridge door the light comes on, or that every time we press a switch food or water falls on us.

2. Intermittent reinforcement schedules

In the case of intermittent or partial reinforcement programs, we find that a reinforcer is received only some of the times the behavior is carried out, so that not every time we do the behavior we will get a reward.

Programs in which this type of reinforcement occurs are generally the most successful when it comes to to maintain a behavior over time, since it is already known that the behavior does not always have to appear enhancer.

Within intermittent reinforcement schedules we can find two subtypes: fixed reinforcement schedules and variable reinforcement, which are associated with the condition that is chosen experimentally for the presentation of the booster.

2.1 Fixed reinforcement schedules

Fixed reinforcement schedules are those in which, although the subject does not get a reinforcer every time he does the behavior, there is a pattern as to when it will be obtained: the arrival of the reinforcer is always given when X requirement is met.

2.2 Variable reinforcement schedules

Variable reinforcement schedules are those in which the subject does not get a reinforcer every time he does the behavior, but rather it occurs on some occasions, and there is no set pattern for the reinforcer to appear: although it is subject to the occurrence of the behavior, it can appear in many different ways and in a random manner.

Types of reinforcement program according to its complexity

Together with the degree of contingency with which the reinforcer is presented in relation to the behavior, We can also find different types of reinforcement programs depending on their complexity or, rather saying, the number of conditions that must be met so that the reinforcer or even the type of condition that must be met can be obtained. In this sense we can find three large groups.

1. Simple reinforcement schedules

Simple reinforcement programs are all those in which, in order to obtain a reinforcer only one condition must be met, on which it will depend whether or not the subject achieves the reward and sees his behavior reinforced.

Within this type of reinforcement programs, which are generally the most basic and best known, we can find the following subtypes.

1.1. reason programs

We understand by ratio programs all those reinforcement programs in which the condition that must be met to obtain the reinforcer is that of perform the behavior or response a specified number of times.

In this sense and in relation to the contingency that we have seen previously, we can find fixed rate programs (every time the subject do the behavior X times will get a reinforcer) or variable (the number of times the subject must do the behavior will change randomly).

1.2. interval programs

Interval programs are all those in which the condition for the subject to obtain the reinforcer is not the number of times he does the behavior, but to carry it out after a certain time has passed since the last reinforcer.

As in the previous case, we can find fixed interval programs (the subject will receive a reinforcer if he performs the behavior once the a specific time since the last one) or variable interval (the time that must pass before he can get a reinforcer will vary randomly).

2. Complex reinforcement schedules

Complex reinforcement schedules are those in which a combination of several basic or simple schedules occurs in such a way that Achieving the reinforcer or not will depend on whether several conditions are met, which can vary and appear at the same time.

Within the complex reinforcement programs we can find the following.

2.1. compound programs

Compound programs are understood to be those types of reinforcement program in which various programs are presented at the same time and in relation to a single behavior. This implies that the different conditions will be applied based on a single type of action and not several.

Within these programs there are also several subtypes, namely:

2.1.1. alternating programs

Within this type of compound program the subject obtains a reinforcer when it meets one of the criteria of any of the two or more reinforcement schedules that are being applied at once. That is to say, if a schedule of reinforcement of variable interval and one of fixed ratio are applied, the condition that is met before will be the one that the reinforcer arrives at.

2.1.2. conjunctive programs

This type of program is somewhat more demanding: it is necessary for the subject to comply with two or more conditions from the various programs to obtain the reinforcement. Thus, even if you meet the condition of one of them (for example, that a certain time has passed) you will not receive reinforcer until it has also fulfilled the other programs (for example, it performs the behavior 5 times).

2.1.3. interlocking programs

In this case, the necessary conditions to obtain the reinforcer are changing: the condition of a program will vary depending on the progress made in the other.

2.1.4. adjustment programs

In this case, as in the previous one, the subject obtains the reinforcer depending on conditions that vary, but in instead of depending on how the condition of one advances to change that of the other, in this case it only depends on the performance preceding. That is to say, conditions are adjusted based on previous behavior.

2.2. sequential programs

The sequential programs are types of reinforcement program that are characterized because in them the necessary conditions to obtain the reinforcer vary, but not because two programs are applied at the same time, but because one of the programs is followed first and then another, in a sequence. Within this type of reinforcement program you can find:

2.2.1. mixed programs

Two or more programs alternate randomly regardless of what the subject does, although under the same situation and discriminative stimulus. That is, if the subject gets food every time he presses a lever, he can first get it when he presses it a fixed number of times and then only after a certain amount of time has passed.

2.2.2. multiple programs

In this case, two or more programs alternate, without the need for the subject to have done or not done the behavior to change the program. However, on this occasion, each of them has a different type of discriminative stimulus from each other.

2.2.3. Tandem programs

Is about two or more programs that always alternate with the same pattern and in which to pass from one to the other, the subject must first have fulfilled the condition proposed in the previous one.

2.2.4. chained programs

Two programs are alternated with a fixed pattern and on the basis that the subject has fulfilled the previous condition for being able to change the program, but this time with a different discriminative stimulus for each of the programs.

23. sequential programs

Sequential programs are types of reinforcement program that are characterized because in them the The necessary conditions to obtain the reinforcer vary, but not because two programs are applied at the same time. but because first follow one of the programs and then another, in a sequence.

The following can be found within this type of reinforcement program.

2.3.1. mixed programs

Two or more programs alternate randomly regardless of what the subject does, although under the same situation and discriminative stimulus. That is, if the subject gets food every time he presses a lever, he can first get it when he presses it a fixed number of times and then only after a certain amount of time has passed.

2.3.2. multiple programs

In this case, two or more programs alternate, without the need for the subject to have done or not done the behavior to change the program. However, this time but each of them have a different type of discriminative stimulus from each other.

2.3.3. Tandem programs

These are two or more programs that always alternate with the same pattern and in which to To pass from one to the other, the subject must first have fulfilled the condition proposed in the former.

2.3.4. chained programs

Two programs alternate with a fixed pattern and based on the fact that the subject has fulfilled the previous condition to be able to change the program, but this time with a different discriminative stimulus for each one of the programs.

2.4. concurrent programs

This type of reinforcement schedule is characterized by the fact that the subject is subjected to various programs at the same time, so you can get reinforcers based on your performing different behaviors. These reinforcers could be of a different nature between programs, although this could imply the preferential performance of a behavior for achieve a reinforcer that the subject considers more palatable.

3. Differential reinforcement schedules

Another of the main types of schedule of reinforcement is the differential, in which the presence or absence of reinforcement depends not so much on a condition or two referred to to perform the action or do it in x time, but what is valued is that the subject does not perform it or that the moment of performing it is before or after a period certain.

The goal of this type of reinforcement is actually reinforce and increase the behavior of not performing the behavior or doing another instead of the one studied. In this sense we can find three subtypes.

3.1. omission differential reinforcement schedules

In this type of reinforcement programs, the subject will receive a reinforcer if (and only if) he has not performed the behavior within the period analyzed.

3.2. Low Rate Differential Reinforcement Schedules

Low-rate differential reinforcement schedules are those in which the subject receives a reinforcer as long as the performance of the behavior is carried out. only after a certain time interval has passed. What is usually sought is to reduce the frequency of issuance of a behavior by reinforcing that it takes time to be done.

3.3. High Rate Differential Reinforcement Schedules

In this case, the subject gets a reinforcer only if he performs the target behavior before a certain amount of time has elapsed. What is sought in this case is to increase the frequency of emission of the target behavior.

3.4. Incompatible Response Reinforcement Schedules

A very useful type of program, in this case the subject obtains a reinforcer as long as within of the time interval does not carry out the target behavior but others that are incompatible with this. What is sought is to reduce the issuance of behavior by rewarding the performance of others that prevent it from appearing.

Bibliographic references:

• Bayes, R. & Pinillos, J.L. (1989). Learning and conditioning. Alhambra. Madrid.
• Domjan, M. & Burkhard, B. (1990). Principles of learning and conduct. Debate. Madrid.
• Fig trees, b. and Muñoz, J.J, (2012). basic psychology. CEDE PIR Preparation Manual, 08. CEDE: Madrid.
• Pérez Fernández, V., Gutiérrez Domínguez, M.T., García García, A. and Gomez Bujedo, J. (2010). Basic Psychological Processes. A functional analysis. National University of Distance Education (UNED).