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Fixed ratio and extinction performance of infants in the second year of life
Insights
This study trained infants on fixed ratio (FR) schedules, observing behavior patterns similar to animals. Performance varied due to training methods, impacting extinction responses.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral psychology
- Infant development
- Operant conditioning
Background:
- Fixed ratio (FR) reinforcement schedules are well-established in animal and human studies.
- Limited research exists on applying FR schedules to very young human subjects, specifically infants.
- Understanding infant learning under operant conditioning provides insights into developmental psychology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acquisition of lever-pressing behavior in infants using fixed ratio schedules.
- To compare infant behavioral patterns under FR reinforcement to those observed in animals and older humans.
- To examine the influence of training parameters on response rates and post-reinforcement pauses in infants.
Main Methods:
- Five infants (14.5-19.5 months) were trained to lever press for snacks.
- Small fixed ratio schedules (FR 10 and FR 15) were employed.
- Behavioral data, including response rates and post-reinforcement pauses, were recorded.
- Extinction procedures were implemented in the final session.
Main Results:
- Stable lever-pressing behavior was established within 4-9 sessions for most subjects.
- Observed patterns included high, constant response rates followed by zero rates post-reinforcement, typical of FR schedules.
- Deviations included prolonged and variable post-reinforcement pauses.
- Extinction performance varied, correlating with the stability of FR performance during conditioning.
Conclusions:
- Infants can acquire lever-pressing behavior under fixed ratio schedules, exhibiting patterns similar to other organisms.
- Training procedures and deprivation levels significantly influenced performance and irregularities.
- Further research is needed to optimize training protocols for infant operant conditioning studies.
Abstract:
Five 14(1/2)- to 19(1/2)-month-old infants were trained to lever press for snacks on small fixed ratio schedules of reinforcement. Within four to nine sessions, responding under FR 10 was established for four subjects and FR 15 for the other. Each subject's last session revealed behavioral patterns similar to animal and human FR trained subjects-a high and constant ratio rate, mixed with a zero rate following reinforcements. Deviations were mostly in the form of prolonged and variable post-reinforcement pauses. These and other irregularities were probably due to the limited deprivation conditions and improper training procedures in which the ratio (for two subjects) was ascended too early and too quickly. Extinction was instituted during the last session. The degree to which extinction performance matched that of other organisms depended upon how stable and "ratio-like" performance was during conditioning.