Operant Learning

The Effects of Schedule of Reinforcement on Operant Learning DEFINITIONS. Lopatto et al. (1998) conducted an experiment examining cautiousness, stereotypy, and variability across older and younger adults. Cautiousness, defined by Lopatto et al. (1998), is described as a hesitancy about making responses that may be incorrect. This is characterized by a lack of response variability. In research dealing with operant learning, the lack of response variability is referred to as behavioral stereotypy. The purpose of their experiment was to explore the analogy between cautiousness and operant sequential stereotypy. Specifically in Experiment 2, participants of two age groups (older and younger) were exposed to a matrix task where variable responding

The operative reinforcement contingencies are referred to as lags. In a Lag 0, there was no variability requirement meaning the participants could use the same sequence in each trial and earn a point. The Lag 0 contingency was identical to a continuous reinforcement schedule. In a Lag 1, the participants were required to avoid repeating responses in two consecutive trials. In a Lag 2, the participants were to avoid using the previous two sequences of responses. Finally, in a Lag 3, the participants were required to avoid the previous three sequences. The participants were tested for 200 trials that lasted between 20-30 minutes, however at the end of 50 trials, or after each lag, the participants were advised to record their ideas about earning points. The results of the experiment showed that college students averaged more responses per minute than the older adults, F(1, 20) = 47.2; p < .05. Lopatto et al. (1998) conclude that the response variability contingency shaped variable responding. It is stated in their conclusion that “cautiousness is a form of operant stereotypy

Each operant chamber had a nose poke operandum (H21-09R), pellet trough (H14-01R), pellet feeder (H14-23R), plastic drop pan (H10-11R-DP), and an internal light bulb. The pellet feeder contained Bioserv Dustless Precision 45-mg grain based pellets (F0165). The sides of the operant chamber were made of plexiglas and the sides’ top and bottom were made of metal. Each chamber was housed in a separate cubical, which was approximately 2 X 3 m. In addition, each chamber connected to an Environment Connection Board (H03-04) that was connected to Habitest LabLinc (H02-08). This was connected to a Lenovo computer and monitor that ran Graphic State v.2.01