Intermittent reinforcement
A schedule in which only some occurrences of a behavior are reinforced, as in fixed-ratio, variable-ratio, fixed-interval and variable-interval schedules.
Intermittent reinforcement means that some, but not all, instances of a behavior are followed by reinforcement. It is the opposite of continuous reinforcement (CRF), in which every correct response is reinforced. The four basic intermittent schedules are fixed ratio, variable ratio, fixed interval and variable interval.
Continuous reinforcement is usually used while a new skill is being acquired, because it gives the learner clear, frequent feedback. Once the skill is established, the supervisor typically thins the schedule, moving gradually toward intermittent reinforcement. Behavior maintained on intermittent reinforcement is more resistant to extinction, it is closer to how reinforcement works in everyday life, and it reduces the risk of satiation.
Thinning must be gradual. Jumping from reinforcing every response to reinforcing very few can cause the behavior to drop off, a problem sometimes called ratio strain. The RBT follows the schedule written in the plan and reports to the supervisor if responding falls apart after a change.
Intermittent reinforcement also explains why problem behavior can be so persistent. If a caregiver sometimes gives in to whining, the whining is on an intermittent schedule and can be harder to extinguish than behavior that was reinforced every time.
Example and non-example
| Example | A client who now asks for help independently has their plan changed from praise after every request to praise after about every third request (VR 3). The RBT follows the new schedule. |
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| Non-example | Giving a token after every single correct answer during a new program is continuous reinforcement, not intermittent reinforcement. |
Don't confuse it with
| Continuous reinforcement | Continuous reinforcement follows every response; intermittent reinforcement follows only some responses. |
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Test yourself
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Question 1A plan for escape-maintained screaming tells the RBT to keep the task demand in place when the client screams. On some days, when the screaming is loud, the RBT removes the demand. What is the most likely result of this inconsistency?
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B: Screaming is reinforced on some occasions and may become more persistent. Removing the demand after screaming delivers the escape that maintains it, so screaming is now reinforced intermittently. Intermittently reinforced behavior tends to be more persistent and harder to reduce. If the RBT has concerns about carrying out a procedure, the step is to raise them with the supervisor, not to change it in the moment.
- A: DRO delivers reinforcement for the absence of the behavior; removing demands after screaming reinforces the behavior itself.
- C: Escape after screaming reinforces screaming; breaks given this way make it more likely, not less.
- D: The screaming would be real and recorded as it occurred; the problem is the reinforcement, not a false burst.
Task A.8 · 40-hour curriculum section E
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Question 2Why do plans usually call for continuous reinforcement when a skill is first being taught?
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B: It tends to produce the fastest learning of a new behavior.. Reinforcing every correct response makes the contingency clear and is generally best for acquiring a new behavior. Once the behavior is established, the supervisor usually plans to thin to an intermittent schedule.
- A: Behavior reinforced on intermittent schedules is usually more resistant to extinction than behavior reinforced every time.
- C: Because every response is reinforced, continuous reinforcement uses more reinforcers and can bring on satiation sooner.
- D: Continuous reinforcement uses more reinforcers than intermittent schedules, not fewer.
Task C.1 · 40-hour curriculum section A
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Question 3Once a skill is well established, a supervisor plans to move from reinforcing every response to reinforcing only some responses. What is one main reason?
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D: Behavior on intermittent schedules tends to keep occurring longer when reinforcement stops.. Behavior maintained on intermittent schedules is usually more resistant to extinction, and thinner schedules are closer to what the client will meet in natural settings. That is why schedules are thinned after acquisition.
- A: Continuous reinforcement, not intermittent, usually produces the fastest acquisition.
- B: On any reinforcement schedule, the reinforcer still depends on the behavior.
- C: No schedule guarantees that an extinction burst will never occur.
Task C.1 · 40-hour curriculum section A
Answer every question to see your score.
On the RBT exam
This term belongs to task C.1 Positive and negative reinforcement in content area C, Behavior Acquisition, which is 19 of the 75 scored questions.