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A parametric variation of delayed reinforcement in infants
L Reeve1, K F Reeve, C L Poulson
1Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing 11367-1597.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|November 1, 1993
Summary
Infants as young as 2 months can learn with delayed reinforcement, challenging previous research. This study demonstrates successful conditioning in infants, suggesting memory capacity is not a limitation.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Infant Learning
Background:
- Previous research suggested infants under 6 months could not be conditioned with delayed reinforcement.
- This limitation was attributed to infant memory capacity constraints.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the parameters of delayed reinforcement in infants aged 2 to 6 months.
- To investigate if infants can be conditioned with delayed reinforcement, challenging existing theories.
- To present an alternative framework for analyzing delayed reinforcement in infants.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments utilized single-subject repeated-reversal designs with 6 infants.
- Experiment 1: Unsignaled 3-second delayed reinforcement to increase infant vocalization rate.
- Experiment 2: Unsignaled 5-second delayed reinforcement to increase infant vocalization rate.
Main Results:
- Successful conditioning of infant vocalization rate was achieved in both experiments with delayed reinforcement.
- Conditioning occurred despite reinforcement delays of 3 and 5 seconds.
- Results contrast with prior studies that failed to achieve conditioning with similar delays.
Conclusions:
- Infants demonstrate the capacity for learning under delayed reinforcement schedules.
- Infant memory capacity may not be the primary limitation in delayed reinforcement learning.
- The study proposes a new conceptual framework and methodology for infant delayed reinforcement research.