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Sensitivity of children's behavior to probabilistic reward: effects of a decreasing-ratio lottery system on math
Brian K Martens1, Scott P Ardoin, Alexandra M Hilt
1Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, New York 13244-2340, USA.
Abstract:
Probabilistic reward has been shown to affect children's choice behavior in game-like activities. We examined the effects of a lottery system containing progressively lower exchange ratios on children's completion of math problems. Two of the 3 children completed problems above baseline levels until the chance of exchange dropped to 25%. This study describes a potentially useful method for examining reinforcement schedules in applied settings and extends previous research on probabilities of reinforcement.
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