Effects of reinforcer magnitude and distribution on preference for work schedules

Abstract

When the overall magnitude of reinforcement is matched between 2 alternative work schedules, some students prefer to complete all of their work for continuous access to a reinforcer (continuous work) rather than distributed access to a reinforcer while they work (discontinuous work). We evaluated a student's preference for continuous work by manipulating the overall magnitude of reinforcement associated with continuous work. Preference for continuous work persisted despite a 20% decrease in reinforcer magnitude; however, a 40% decrease in reinforcer magnitude produced a shift in preference to discontinuous work.

Effects of Reinforcer Magnitude and Quality on Preference for Response-Reinforcer Arrangements in Young Children with Autism

“…Unlike previous studies (e.g., Bukala et al, 2015;DeLeon et al, 2014;Ward-Horner et al, 2014), the present study demonstrated that both participants initially preferred the discontinuous arrangement, which resulted in shorter delays and more frequent reinforcer access. It is possible that participant characteristics contributed to the participants' initial preference, as younger participants may respond more impulsively than older participants (Logue, Forzano, & Ackerman, 1996).…”

“…When reinforcer magnitude was diminished in the discontinuous arrangement (i.e., the initially preferred arrangement), both participants shifted preference to the continuous arrangement. This finding is similar to the outcome of Ward-Horner et al (2014) who found that a 40 and 80% decrease in the reinforcer magnitude associated with the continuous arrangement (i.e., the initially preferred arrangement) resulted in the participant selecting the discontinuous arrangement. Furthermore, when the quality of the reinforcer was altered by withholding social interactions in the discontinuous arrangement, Ted preferred the continuous arrangement whereas James continued to prefer the discontinuous arrangement.…”

“…Several studies have shown that, under certain conditions, participants prefer to complete a larger set of responses followed by longer duration of access to a reinforcer instead of completing several smaller sets of responses followed by brief reinforcer access that result in the same overall amount of work and reinforcement (Bukala, Hu, Lee, Ward-Horner, & Fienup, 2015;DeLeon et al, 2014;Fienup, Ahlers, & Pace, 2011;Ward-Horner, Pittenger, Pace, & Fienup, 2014). For instance, Fienup et al (2011) provided a participant a choice to complete either 120 math problems consecutively followed by 18 min of reinforcer access (continuous arrangement) or six sets of 20 math problems with each set followed by 3 min of reinforcer access (discontinuous arrangement).…”

“…There have been several replications of Fienup et al (2011) that have largely focused on variables influencing preference and performance for response-reinforcer arrangements with older participants who generally preferred a continuous arrangement (e.g., DeLeon et al, 2014;Kocher, Howard, & Fienup, 2015;Ward-Horner et al, 2014). For instance, DeLeon et al (2014) investigated the effects of the type of reinforcer on preference by providing access to edible and activity reinforcers.…”

“…The researchers found that three out of four participants preferred the continuous arrangement regardless of type of reinforcer, and one participant preferred the continuous arrangement when the reinforcer was an activity but did not demonstrate a preference when the reinforcer was an edible. Ward-Horner et al (2014) investigated the effects of reinforcer magnitude by reducing the duration of reinforcer access during the continuous arrangement. The researchers found that the participant preferred the continuous arrangement when it resulted in 20% less reinforcement than the discontinuous arrangement but not when it resulted in 60 and 80% less reinforcement.…”