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Reinforced variability in animals and people: implications for adaptive action
1Department of Psychology, Reed College, Portland, OR 97202, USA. allen.neuringer@reed.edu
The American Psychologist
|December 9, 2004
Summary
Reinforcement can promote diverse and novel behaviors, not just repetition. This control over behavioral variability has implications for learning, problem-solving, creativity, and treating conditions like depression and autism.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral psychology
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive science
Background:
- Reinforcement typically leads to predictable, repetitive behaviors.
- However, reinforcement can also drive behavioral diversity and novelty.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence on reinforcement's control over behavioral variability.
- To explore the implications of reinforced variability in various contexts.
Main Methods:
- Review of human and animal-model studies on reinforcement and behavior.
- Analysis of behavioral distributions under reinforcement schedules.
Main Results:
- Reinforcement precisely controls behavioral variability, sometimes producing near-random response patterns.
- Reinforcing variability enhances learning, problem-solving, and creativity.
- Individuals with depression and autism can learn to increase behavioral variability through reinforcement.
Conclusions:
- Reinforcement is a powerful tool for modulating behavioral variability.
- Understanding reinforced variability offers insights into voluntary action and potential therapeutic applications.