Passage
Researchers conducted a pair of studies to explore how rewards influence motivation and weight loss for those who are overweight or obese.For Study 1, 20 overweight and 20 average-weight adults were invited to play a computer game consisting of a simple matching task in which participants earned a reward for getting multiple correct responses. Participants were allowed to select their own reward: Either $1.00 or a 200-calorie vending machine snack (valued at $1.00) , such as a candy bar or bag of chips. For the first trial, participants were rewarded on an average of three correct responses (AVG3) . Participants were then asked to choose between the food and monetary rewards. When a food reward was selected, the average number of correct responses required to earn the next reward doubled, but when a monetary reward was selected, the average number of correct responses required to earn the next reward remained the same (Figure 1) . Results indicated that although there was no significant difference between the groups with regard to baseline self-reporting of hunger prior to the start of the computer tasks, overweight participants were five times more likely to choose the food rewards than average-weight participants.
Figure 1 Study 1 reward scheduleFor Study 2, obese participants were recruited for a 16-week weight-loss study and randomly assigned to one of two groups: A control group (n = 32) or an experimental group (n = 35) . Control participants engaged in weekly weigh-ins only. Experimental participants engaged in weekly weigh-ins but also earned or lost money (put into an account and paid at the end of the study) based on their weigh-in goal, calculated each week based on current body mass index (BMI) , age, and sex. Those who reached their weekly weight goal earned $10; for each additional pound lost, participants earned another $10, up to $50/week. Participants in the experimental group who did not meet or exceed their weekly weight goal had $20 deducted from their accounts. No significant differences were found in baseline variables for either group; however, members of the control group lost an average of 5.9 pounds, whereas members of the experimental group lost an average of 18.1 pounds.
B. E. Saelens and L. H. Epstein ©1996 Elsevier B.V.
-Which of the following most accurately reflects the reinforcement schedules used by Study 1 and the experimental group in Study 2, respectively?

Question

Passage
Researchers conducted a pair of studies to explore how rewards influence motivation and weight loss for those who are overweight or obese.For Study 1, 20 overweight and 20 average-weight adults were invited to play a computer game consisting of a simple matching task in which participants earned a reward for getting multiple correct responses. Participants were allowed to select their own reward: Either $1.00 or a 200-calorie vending machine snack (valued at $1.00) , such as a candy bar or bag of chips. For the first trial, participants were rewarded on an average of three correct responses (AVG3) . Participants were then asked to choose between the food and monetary rewards. When a food reward was selected, the average number of correct responses required to earn the next reward doubled, but when a monetary reward was selected, the average number of correct responses required to earn the next reward remained the same (Figure 1) . Results indicated that although there was no significant difference between the groups with regard to baseline self-reporting of hunger prior to the start of the computer tasks, overweight participants were five times more likely to choose the food rewards than average-weight participants.

Figure 1 Study 1 reward scheduleFor Study 2, obese participants were recruited for a 16-week weight-loss study and randomly assigned to one of two groups: A control group (n = 32) or an experimental group (n = 35) . Control participants engaged in weekly weigh-ins only. Experimental participants engaged in weekly weigh-ins but also earned or lost money (put into an account and paid at the end of the study) based on their weigh-in goal, calculated each week based on current body mass index (BMI) , age, and sex. Those who reached their weekly weight goal earned $10; for each additional pound lost, participants earned another $10, up to $50/week. Participants in the experimental group who did not meet or exceed their weekly weight goal had $20 deducted from their accounts. No significant differences were found in baseline variables for either group; however, members of the control group lost an average of 5.9 pounds, whereas members of the experimental group lost an average of 18.1 pounds.
B. E. Saelens and L. H. Epstein ©1996 Elsevier B.V.
-Which of the following most accurately reflects the reinforcement schedules used by Study 1 and the experimental group in Study 2, respectively?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0cb0_ca44_a3bf_cdc36a76ce04_MD0008_00 Schedules are used in operant conditioning to train and/or maintain learned behaviors through reinforcement or punishment. Continuous schedules provide a reward or punishment after every behavior, which produces the fastest learning using reinforcement and is the most effective way to stop unwanted behavior using punishment. Partial reinforcement schedules are most often used to maintain learned behaviors, and include: Fixed ratio: Behavior rewarded after a consistent number of responses. For example, a customer loyalty program awards a free coffee after ten coffee purchases. Variable ratio: Behavior rewarded after an inconsistent number of responses, usually after some average number of responses, as in Study 1. The AVG3 schedule might provide a reward after four correct responses, then after two, then after three, and so on. Fixed interval: Behavior rewarded after a consistent amount of time, regardless of how many behaviors have occurred. For example, employees who are paid a weekly salary receive the same amount of money each Friday regardless of how hard they have worked during the week. Variable interval: Behavior rewarded after an inconsistent amount of time, regardless of how many behaviors have occurred. For example, when awaiting an email, the frequency with which users refresh their in-boxes does not affect when a new email arrives. The reinforcement schedule used by Study 1 was a variable ratio schedule, because the reward was provided after some average number of correct responses. The reinforcement schedule used for the experimental group in Study 2 was a fixed interval schedule, because rewards occurred on a weekly basis. (Choice A) A variable interval schedule provides rewards after unpredictable time increments. Study 2 provided reinforcement (money) on a fixed time schedule. (Choices C and D) A fixed ratio schedule provides a reward for a set number of correct responses. Study 1 provided rewards after an average number of correct responses, consistent with a variable ratio schedule. Educational objective: Reinforcement schedules can be continuous (reward given every time) or partial. Partial schedules include fixed or variable ratio (reward given after consistent or inconsistent number of behaviors) and fixed or variable interval (reward given after consistent or inconsistent amount of time).

Passage Researchers Conducted a Pair of Studies to Explore How Rewards