Interested Persons,
In a study of fixed-ratio punishment by Azrin and his colleagues (1963),
pigeons were first reinforeced with food on a variable-interval schedule for
pecking a response key. When the key-pecking behavior was occurring at a
stable and high rate, punishment was introduced. Various fixed-ratio
punishment procedures were tested while food reinforecement continued to be
provided for the pecking behavior. When every response was shocked (FR 1
punishment), key pecking ceased entirely. With the other punishement
shcedules, the rate of responding depended on the frequency of punishment.
In other words, higher FR schedules produced higher rates of responding.
However, some suppression of behavior occurred even with an FR 1000 schedule
with greater suppression at FR 500, FR 300, FR 200, etc.
Of course, there are several other factors involved with punishment. For
example, if a high intensity of aversive stimuli is used when the punishment
procedure is first introduced, greater suppression of the response is
likely--possibly one or two trials will suppress the response for a very
long time (subjective term). In fact, the use of a mildly aversive stimuli
can cause the participants to persist in their responding with the result
being that the response continues even when higher levels of aversive
stimuli are presented.
Azrin, N.H., Holz, W.C., & Hake, D.F. (1963). Fixed-ratio punishment.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 6, 141-148.
Church, R.M. (1969). Response suppression. In B.A. Campbell & R.M. Church
(Eds.), Punishment and aversive behavior (pp. 111-156). New York:
Appleton-Century-Crofts.
Chuck
*************************************
Charles M. Huffman, Ph.D.
Chair, Psychology Dept.
Cumberland College, Box 7990
Williamsburg, KY 40769
(606) 539-4422
*************************************
-----Original Message-----
From: Renner, Michael [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2000 9:50 AM
To: TIPS (E-mail)
Subject: reinforcement schedules and punishment
Claudia Stanney says that with punishment, only continuous schedules work.
I'd be curious to know what data there are for this position.
Thanks.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael J. Renner, Ph.D.
Interim Associate Vice President
Office of Faculty Development, Scholarship & Research
Professor of Psychology
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Telephone: 610-436-3310
Fax: 610-436-2763
http://www.wcupa.edu/_facstaff/facdev/index.htm
"The path of least resistance is always downhill."
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