Schedules of Reinforcement

Schedules of reinforcement are from Operant Conditioning theory, part of the Behaviourist Approach to explaining behaviour.  Behaviourism is a way of explaining human behaviour that ignores everything that is not observable.  Schedules of Reinforcement are different ways of delivering a reinforcer with the aim of maintaining a person’s present rate of response.  Continuous or full reinforcement ensures a rapid acquisition of behaviour, but once a rate of response is achieved, it is best to switch to partial reinforcement to maintain the response rate at the desired level, both fixed and variable interval and ratio.  There are many examples in real life, gamboling strategies being often cited in literature.  It is suggested that our behaviour is maintained over a much longer period if partial reinforcement schedules are used.  I might suggest there is a price to pay, a cognitive debt, if you like.

Schedule of Reinforcement: How to Train a Lover

CR

I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you.

When you are here,

Next to me,

I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you,

And when you are not,

I don’t.

FR

When are you coming?

That’ll be fine,

I’ll love you then,

That’ll be fine,

I know where I am,

That’ll be fine,

It will stop,

That’ll be fine,

And start again,

Perhaps.

VI

Perhaps it could be tomorrow,

Perhaps it could be next week,

Maybe I ought to check in case,

Perhaps it could be love.

FI

Tuesday, Saturday and every other Thursday

Are fine.

I don’t do Sundays.

You do understand,

I love you.

VR

Oh, how nice it’s you,

Yes I’m fine, are you?

Free again, for you?

For fun again,

Not love.