Modeling

called intermittent reinforcement. There are different reinforcement schedules involving partial reinforcement. There are fixed reinforcement schedules and variable reinforcement schedule. There will be different intervals between reinforcements.

These are the different reinforcement schedules:

1. Fixed interval—there are predictable time intervals between reinforcements. It results in a moderate rate of response and pauses after the reinforcement has occurred.

2. Variable interval—there is an unpredictable time interval between reinforcements. The response rate is moderate but consistent.

3. Fixed ratio reinforcement—there is reinforcement after a predictable number of responses. The response rate is high but pauses after reinforcement.

4. Variable ratio reinforcement—this is when reinforcement is given after an unpredictable number of responses. This yields the highest response rate with a steady response. Gambling is an example of this.

When it comes to the ability to extinguish the behavior, variable ratio reinforcement schedules involve behaviors that are the hardest to extinguish. On the other hand, fixed interval reinforcement is seen when a sick patient presses a pain pump to treat postoperative pain is the easiest behavior to extinguish and is the least productive of all of the schedules.

Edward Tolman looked at rats and showed that they can learn even if there isn t an immediate reinforcement. What it means is that there must be some cognition or thought related to learning. Rats were placed in a maze and were either fed along the route of the maze or fed only at the end of the maze. Both groups of rats were quickly able to navigate the map, which demonstrates the ability for latent learning.

MODELING

Modeling as you know is an example of observational learning. This is learning through watching others and imitating them. There are specific neurons called mirror neurons that are responsible for this. It can be a learning style for animals and humans.

Imitation can be a positive thing or a negative thing. Children can, for example, imitate the punishment dealt out to them by their parents by hurting younger children in the same way.

Observational learning is more complex than simple imitation. There is cognition involved in many cases. One can see punishment dealt to another person and will decide to change your own behavior. You can also learn a certain rule that can be applied to a variety of situations. Imitation can be with a live demonstration, through verbal instruction about a behavior, or symbolic, involving fictional characters.

Modeling involves being focused on the model and need to retain the information that has been observed. Some type of motivation is necessary, which is based on what you observe the consequences have been for the model. Vicarious reinforcement involves seeing a positive effect on the model, while vicarious punishment involves seeing a negative effect on the model. There are prosocial models and antisocial models that can be imitated.