Stephen's distinction between a variable ratio and random ratio is one that I
was not aware of, but then I don't teach operant methods. I wonder if the
selection of one of these schedules is based on the technology that is used.
In a lab setting, the "true" variable ratio would be easy to program using a
film programmer (does anyone still use those?) or one using audio tape. This
schedule would also be easy to program with a computer, but the random ratio
would be much easier. Of course, the film/tape programming does not provide
a random "true" ratio, but one could be programmed with a computer, where the
sampling of ratios could be done with or without replacement.
A number of (fascinating?) research questions come to mind. Would subjects
(or participants) respond differently to:
a) a fixed sequence of ratios of different lengths
b) a random sequence of ratios of different lengths
i. selected with replacement
ii. selected without replacement
c) a random ratio schedule, where the probability of reinforcement is
constant
d) how would the results under (a) and (b) be affected by the number and
range of ratios
I bet the answers to all of these questions are available in forgotten issues
of JEAB.
Stephen Black wrote:
> . . . if it was programmed on VR, then if one produces many
> responses without payout, the probability of a payout must rise
> (i.e. you must be getting to the end of a long ratio). So if one
> player gives up, it means that the next player would have a
> better chance. Because of this, on reflection, I doubt that this
> is how it's done.
>
> There's another schedule, called a random ratio, which seems more
> likely. This reinforces each response with a preset probability
> of winning.
--
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* Mike Scoles * [EMAIL PROTECTED] *
* Department of Psychology * voice: (501) 450-5418 *
* University of Central Arkansas * fax: (501) 450-5424 *
* Conway, AR 72035-0001 * *
********* http://www.coe.uca.edu/psych/scoles/index.html ********
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