Shaping Behavior – Schedules of Reinforcement

The different types of reinforcement schedules.

Schedules of reinforcement define the different ways and intervals in which methods of shaping of reinforcement define the different ways and intervals in which methods of shaping behavior are applied for particular behaviour or actions to be repeated by individuals, with each type of reinforcement schedule being effective in certain situations; producing distinctive effects on behaviour.

According to Robbins and Judge (2007), continuous and intermittent are the two major types of reinforcement schedules. “A continuous reinforcement schedule reinforces the desired behavior each and every time it is demonstrated” (Robbins & Judge 2007, p57). For example, the manger or leader of a team could compliment the team every time they produce a good job. However, in such a scenario, constantly complementing them every time they do a good job may have an adverse effect: they may start getting complacent and stop striving to be constantly more productive... more>>