When a behavior analyst mixes schedules of continuous reinforcement, intermittent reinforcement, differential reinforcement of varying rates of responding, and extinction, they create compound schedules of reinforcement.
In 1957 Ferster and Skinner discovered that elements from compound schedules can occur successively or simultaneously, with or without discriminative stimuli, as a reinforcement contingency independently or as a contingency formed by the combination of all elements, and as a reinforcement contingency independently or as a contingency formed by the combination of all elements. When it comes to compound schedules, grouping them based on what’s similar rather than what’s distinct makes things a lot easier. Concurrent schedules were unique in that they functioned independently. They’re discussing reinforcement schedules that apply to two or more target behaviors.
We’ll start categorizing them together based on their similarities. We’ll go through two schedules that require discriminative stimuli, which means they contain a stimulus that signals at certain situations. Multiple schedules and chain schedules are the two forms of discriminative stimuli that are used.
You have two or more fundamental reinforcement schedules operating sequentially and independently of one another with a multiple schedule of reinforcement. They occur in a random or alternating sequence. As we all know, different reinforcement schedules result in varying response rates. So, for example, a fixed interval schedule will have a scalloped effect, with a drop in responding immediately following reinforcement. As the time lengthens, you’ll notice a progressive rise in response, culminating just before the next set of reinforcers is sent. One of the very amazing things about multiple schedules is that, since they combine these fundamental reinforcement plans, research reveals that behavior still follows the same pattern in a multiple schedule as it would if it was only targeted by a single basic schedule.
In a research done by Orlando in Sydney in 1960, they discovered that when multiple schedules were followed, behaviors nevertheless followed most of the same principles as when basic schedules were followed. So, in this study, they discovered that when there were lower ratios, longer intervals, and variable rather than set schedules of reinforcement, the response rate was greater, which is similar to what you would observe in a basic schedule of reinforcement. The scalloped effect and the post reinforcement pause that you observe in simple schedules are not as predictable in a multiple schedule, according to them. Otherwise, behaviors follow all of the same principles and patterns as a basic schedule, as well as a multiple schedule. When it comes to academic skills, for example, a student may apply math facts or reply to math facts with a teacher in a large group environment as well as with a tutor one-on-one. So, in this circumstance, you’ll have two basic reinforcement plans running in random order, one after the other. You won’t always have a teacher before a tutor, or a tutor before a teacher. You’re going to switch them around. At such a circumstance, the tutor and instructor serve as discriminative stimuli, informing the learner of the reinforcing contingencies in play. Both are most likely variable ratio schedules. The adult does not always support our responses. With the tutor, there are considerably higher levels of reinforcement than with the teacher in a complete group environment. As a result, this is a real-life example of multiple schedules of reinforcement.
A chain schedule is the second type of reinforcing program in this category. A chain schedule, like a multiple schedule, requires a discriminative stimulus to signal when each element or contingency is occurring. As a result, a chain schedule will differ from a multiple schedule in three ways.
Number one, the schedules are always followed in a precise order. As a result, they don’t alternate or rotate in the same manner that a multiple schedule does.
Number two, there might be one or several interesting behaviors. In a multiple schedule, you usually only have to deal with one response class. A chain schedule differs from a multiple schedule in that each part may need a separate behavioral response.
Number three, and probably most importantly is the conditioned reinforcer for the first element works as the discriminative stimulus for the second element in a chained schedule, which means that one step is always the SD for the step following it. So, for example, when you wash your hands or change your clothes, each step has a conditioned reinforcer that functions as a discriminative stimulus for the step after it. Change schedules, according to Cooper Herron and Heward, are frequently used by behavior analysts to teach not only new skills but also more complicated behavior chains.
A compound schedule refers to when a behavior analysts combine schedules of continuous reinforcement, intermittent reinforcement, differential reinforcement of various rates of responding and extinction.
To begin with, parts of compound schedules can appear together or separately, with or without discriminative stimuli to distinguish them, and as a reinforcement contingency that exists independently or contingency that is produced by the combination of all elements. As a reminder, a concurrent schedule combines two or more reinforcement schedules to reinforce two or more types of behavior. These schedules are run simultaneously, which means they happen at the same time. These two require distinct discriminative stimuli to discriminate between the different reinforcement conditions. We will discuss the two different types of compound schedules that do not need discriminative stimuli. Non discriminative compound schedules are another name for them.
Remember that grouping these different types of compound schedules together based on their similarities is the easiest way to remember them. Firstly, a mixed schedule. A mixed schedule is the same as a multiple schedule with the exception that no discriminative stimuli are employed. It implies you’ll have at least two separate basic reinforcement schedules that will be executed sequentially and in random order. The main distinction between a mixed schedule and a multiple schedule is that no discriminative stimuli are used to determine which schedule is active at any certain time.
In terms of applied research on mix schedules of reinforcement, hanley owada and Thompson did a study in 2001 to determine the optimum approach to thin schedules of reinforcement. They treated three participants who had previously engaged in problem behaviors such as self-injury with extinction and told them to use functional communication to get their needs met otherwise. FCT, or functional communication training, is what they utilize. Also, they used a mixed reinforcement schedule as well as a multiple reinforcement schedule. One without discriminative stimuli and one with discriminative stimuli were used to investigate which one was the most effective in narrowing the reinforcement schedule for these individuals.
The researchers discovered that the multiple schedule was far more successful in sustaining low rates of problem behavior while also ensuring that the alternative behavior response learned by FCT was maintained. They discovered that when the mixed schedule was implemented, the participants’ issue conduct, notably their self-injury, re-established and escalated, and they showed a lot of decreased functional communication response. So they discovered that employing the multiple schedule allowed them to have greater stimulation and scheduling control.
A tandem schedule is the second sort of compound schedule. A tandem schedule will follow the same methodology as a chained schedule. The main difference is no discriminative stimuli. This is how the different elements of the schedule are distinguished. For example, there may be two fundamental schedules operating in the same sequence each time, but there is nothing to indicate to the organism that the schedules are changing at any particular point during the operation. An essential point to remember regarding mixed schedules and tandem schedules is that antecedent stimuli have a significant impact in our daily lives. So it’s rare to have daily actions that don’t include discriminative stimuli signaling when circumstances change.
Despite the fact that there is no practical application at this moment, there is a wealth of information on the impact of these two schedules, the mix and tandem, on behavior. The objective is that, ultimately, applied research will be able to take this information and apply it to their daily work with individuals.
