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Related Concept Videos

Reinforcement Schedules01:24

Reinforcement Schedules

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Positive reinforcement is a powerful method for teaching new behaviors to both animals and humans. B.F. Skinner demonstrated this with his experiments using rats in a Skinner box. When a rat pressed a lever, it received a food pellet. This immediate reward encouraged the rat to repeat the behavior. This method, where a reward follows every instance of the behavior, is known as continuous reinforcement. It is highly effective for establishing new behaviors quickly.
Once a behavior is learned,...
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Timing and Consequences on Behavior01:08

Timing and Consequences on Behavior

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In operant conditioning, the timing of reinforcement is crucial. For animals like rats and cats, immediate reinforcement (within a few seconds) is much more effective than delayed reinforcement. For example, a food reward for a rat needs to follow within 30 seconds of pressing a bar to be effective. 
Humans, however, can respond to delayed reinforcers. We often make decisions between immediate small rewards and delayed larger rewards. This ability to delay gratification is a significant...
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Generalization, Discrimination, and Extinction01:24

Generalization, Discrimination, and Extinction

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Generalization, discrimination, and extinction are key concepts in operant conditioning that influence how behaviors are learned and maintained.
Generalization occurs when a behavior reinforced in one context is performed in similar situations. For instance, a student who studies diligently for calculus and receives excellent grades might apply the same study habits to psychology and history, expecting similar results. Generalization shows how learning in one setting can influence behavior in...
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Operant Conditioning01:21

Operant Conditioning

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Operant conditioning, a key concept in behavioral psychology, involves using reinforcement and punishment to alter the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. B.F. introduced this type of conditioning. Skinner focused on voluntary behaviors and the consequences that follow them, influencing whether these behaviors will be strengthened or diminished.
Reinforcement in operant conditioning can be positive or negative, both of which serve to increase the likelihood of a behavior. Positive...
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Reinforcement01:23

Reinforcement

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Positive and negative reinforcement are key concepts in operant conditioning, a learning process where the consequences of a behavior affect the likelihood of that behavior being repeated.
Positive reinforcement occurs when a behavior is followed by the presentation of a rewarding stimulus, increasing the frequency of that behavior. For example:
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Primary and Secondary Reinforcers01:23

Primary and Secondary Reinforcers

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In psychology, reinforcement is a key concept in behavior modification. B.F. Skinner demonstrated this with his experiments involving rats in what is known as a Skinner box. The rats learned to press a lever to receive food, a primary reinforcer that fulfilled their innate need for nourishment.
Effective reinforcers for humans vary depending on the individual and the context. Primary reinforcers, such as food, water, sleep, shelter, and pleasure, have inherent value and satisfy basic biological...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 30, 2026

Three Laboratory Procedures for Assessing Different Manifestations of Impulsivity in Rats
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A progressive-duration schedule of reinforcement.

Kara B Gulotta1, Tom Byrne1

  • 1Department of Psychology, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, United States.

Behavioural Processes
|November 5, 2015
PubMed
Summary

This study introduces progressive-duration schedules to measure animal motivation. Rats

Area of Science:

  • Behavioral neuroscience
  • Animal behavior
  • Psychology

Background:

  • Reinforcement schedules are fundamental to understanding behavior.
  • Previous research primarily used response rate or number of responses to measure reinforcement.
  • Response duration as a measure of effort has been less explored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce and evaluate a novel reinforcement schedule based on response duration.
  • To assess the utility of progressive-duration schedules as an assay for motivation.
  • To investigate the effects of deprivation and reinforcer quality on breaking points.

Main Methods:

  • A progressive-duration schedule was implemented with rats.
  • Response duration requirements systematically increased after each reinforcer delivery.
Keywords:
Lever pressProgressive durationProgressive ratioRatsReinforcement

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  • Sessions terminated when reinforcement criteria were unmet for a specified period.

    • Main Results:

    • Breaking points, representing the maximum duration requirement met, stabilized under constant conditions.
    • Breaking points were sensitive to changes in food deprivation levels.
    • Breaking points varied with the quality of the appetitive reinforcer provided.

    Conclusions:

    • Progressive-duration schedules provide a quantifiable measure of behavior for a given reinforcer.
    • This method offers an assay for assessing motivational states in organisms.
    • Findings align with principles of behavioral economics and motivation theory.