Rick Froman wrote: > >I know that we have discussed the fact that studying over the course > >of a semester is not actually on a fixed interval (even with the > >phenomenon of cramming being so common) because that would mean that > >the first response of studying after the test would be reinforced. > >However, is it correct to say that attendance in class might be on a > >fixed interval schedule if test dates are fixed in the syllabus? The > >reason I ask is because attendance records in my Intro class show > >the usual scalloping patterns: high attendance right before a test > >with large dropoffs afterward with attendance increasing again right > >before and through the next test <snip> > This clearly looks like a fixed interval pattern. Is this > >evidence that tests reinforce attendance behavior?
As Rick himself noted, this can't be fixed interval, because FI requires that the first response after the end of the interval is the one that's reinforced. So if the test date is reinforcing attendance, it would reinforce attendance at the first class after the test, not before. Another objection to calling this FI is that FI involves a contingency: the application of the reinforcer depends on the occurrence of a prior designated response. No response, no reinforcer. But in the real world of the classroom, the test arrives come hell or high water, whether or not you're ready for it. A scallop is an interesting pattern of response which appears in a number of situations, especially behaviour when faced with a deadline. But while FI produces scallops (at least in rats), having a scallop doesn't mean it was produced by FI. I'd call it pseudo-FI or quasi-FI responding unless proven otherwise. Stephen ___________________________________________________ Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. tel: (819) 822-9600 ext 2470 Department of Psychology fax: (819) 822-9661 Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lennoxville, QC J1M 1Z7 Canada Dept web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy TIPS discussion list for psychology teachers at http://faculty.frostburg.edu/psyc/southerly/tips/index.htm _______________________________________________ --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
