Sensitivity of Children's Behavior to Probabilistic Reward: Effects of a Decreasing‐ratio Lottery System on Math Performance

Martens, Brian K.; Ardoin, Scott P.; Hilt, Alexandra M.; Lannie, Amanda L.; Panahon, Carlos J.; Wolfe, Laurie A.

doi:10.1901/jaba.2002.35-403

Cited by 9 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Despite these limitations, results of the present study are consistent with previous research showing that children may exhibit risk‐prone behavior under some conditions (e.g., Cuvo, Lerch, Leurquin, Gaffaney, & Poppen, ; Martens et al, ). For example, Martens et al gave children the opportunity to complete difficult math problems, exchange completed difficult problems for slips of easy problems, and then exchange completed easy problem slips for back‐up reinforcers using a chain schedule.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Children's preference for mixed‐ versus fixed‐ratio schedules of reinforcement: A translational study of risky choice

Mullane

Martens

Baxter

et al. 2017

J Exper Analysis Behavior

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Laboratory research has shown that when subjects are given a choice between fixed-ratio and bi-valued mixed-ratio schedules of reinforcement, preference typically emerges for the mixed-ratio schedule even with a larger ratio requirement. The current study sought to replicate and extend these findings to children's math problem completion. Using an ABCBC reversal design, four fourth-grade students were given the choice of completing addition problems reinforced on either a fixed-ratio 5 schedule or one of three mixed-ratio schedules; an equivalent mixed-ratio (1, 9) schedule, a mixed-ratio (1, 11) schedule with a 20% larger ratio requirement, and an equally lean mixed-ratio (5, 7) schedule without the small fixed-ratio 1 component. This was followed by a reversal back to the preceding phase in which preference for the mixed-ratio schedule had been observed, and a final reversal back to the mixed-ratio (5, 7) phase. Findings were consistent with previous research in that all children preferred the mixed-ratio (1, 9) schedule over the equivalent fixed-ratio 5 schedule. Preference persisted for the leaner mixed-ratio (1, 11) schedule for three of the four children. Indifference or preference for the fixed-ratio 5 alternative was observed in phases containing the mixed-ratio (5, 7) schedule. These results extend previous research on risky choice to children's math problem completion and highlight the importance of a small ratio component in the emergence of preference for bi-valued mixed-ratio schedules. Implications of these results for arranging reinforcement to increase children's academic responding are discussed.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Children's preference for mixed‐ versus fixed‐ratio schedules of reinforcement: A translational study of risky choice

Mullane

Martens

Baxter

et al. 2017

J Exper Analysis Behavior

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…That is, children may still prefer to complete academic work rather than obtain reinforcement freely even as the schedule of reinforcement is thinned (Dave and Tim preferred CR at FR values of 7 and 9, respectively). Observing preference for CR in an instructional context under INT reinforcement provides some evidence that thinning the reinforcement schedule following the acquisition of an academic response (Baer et al, 1987; Cooper et al, 2007; Martens et al, 2002; McGinnis et al, 1999) can still result in a preferred learning context.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A common goal in practice is to thin the schedule of reinforcement to increase the practicality for caregivers and teachers. Given the prevalence of intermittent (INT) reinforcement in clinical and educational contexts (Baer, Blount, Detrich, & Stokes, 1987; Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007; Martens et al, 2002; McGinnis, Friman, & Carlyon, 1999), evaluating whether preference for CR persists as the schedule of reinforcement is thinned warrants investigation.…”

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confidence: 99%

Examining the Generality of Children's Preference for Contingent Reinforcement via Extension to Different Responses, Reinforcers, and Schedules

Luczynski

Hanley

2010

J of App Behav Analysis

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Studies that have assessed whether children prefer contingent reinforcement (CR) or noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) have shown that they prefer CR. Preference for CR has, however, been evaluated only under continuous reinforcement (CRF) schedules. The prevalence of intermittent reinforcement (INT) warrants an evaluation of whether preference for CR persists as the schedule of reinforcement is thinned. In the current study, we evaluated 2 children's preference for contingent versus noncontingent delivery of highly preferred edible items for academic task completion under CRF and INT schedules. Children (a) preferred CR to NCR under the CRF schedule, (b) continued to prefer CR as the schedule of reinforcement became intermittent, and (c) exhibited a shift in preference from CR to NCR as the schedule became increasingly thin. These findings extend the generality of and provide one set of limits to the preference for CR. Applied implications, variables controlling preferences, and future research are discussed.

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“…For example, 1 study showed that only the lowest incentive condition (25%, as opposed to 50%, 75%, and 100%) was ineffective in improving 3 female elementary school students’ performance in solving math problems. 35 Another study reported that a 3% condition resulted in the lowest job performance of 2 teaching assistants compared to 6%, 12%, and 25% conditions. 28 However, other studies have reported that the effect of the chance of winning the lottery is minimal.…”

Section: What Are Your Research’s Implications Towards Theory Practic...mentioning

confidence: 98%

A Pilot Study for Testing the Effectiveness and Cost-Efficiency of Lottery Incentive in mHealth App that Promotes Walking

Lee

Chung

2022

INQUIRY

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This is a pilot study that investigated differences in effectiveness, maintenance of effectiveness, cost-efficiency, satisfaction, and usability of a lottery incentive via mobile devices to promote walking, depending on the chance of winning the lottery, the amount of the prize, and gender. Sixty-six college students (male = 26) were randomly assigned to 3 groups: 10% chance of a big prize (10% + B), 50% chance of a medium prize (50% + M), and 100% chance of a small prize (100% + S). Step counts were collected through mobile devices before and after the intervention, as well as at the 2-month follow-up. The results showed significant increases in the step counts among males after the intervention in the 10% + B and the 50% + M groups, and females in the 100% + S group. Only males in the 50% + M group exhibited maintenance in effectiveness during follow-up. With regard to cost-efficiency, the 10% + B and the 50% + M male groups, which showed significant differences in effectiveness, were compared, and no significant difference was found. With regard to intervention satisfaction, satisfaction of the 10% + B group was lower than that of the 100% + S group. There were no significant interactions or main effects regarding the usability of the intervention. The results suggest that a lottery incentive is effective only for men to promote walking when a medium size prize is given with a 50% of chance of winning the lottery.

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Sensitivity of Children's Behavior to Probabilistic Reward: Effects of a Decreasing‐ratio Lottery System on Math Performance

Cited by 9 publications

References 4 publications

Children's preference for mixed‐ versus fixed‐ratio schedules of reinforcement: A translational study of risky choice

Children's preference for mixed‐ versus fixed‐ratio schedules of reinforcement: A translational study of risky choice

Examining the Generality of Children's Preference for Contingent Reinforcement via Extension to Different Responses, Reinforcers, and Schedules

A Pilot Study for Testing the Effectiveness and Cost-Efficiency of Lottery Incentive in mHealth App that Promotes Walking

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